About Social & Therapeutic Horticulture
About STH
Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) provides an abundance of opportunities and activities to improve physical and emotional wellbeing. This may include promoting fitness and building physical strength, increasing self-esteem, reducing stress and the effects of mental ill health, providing hope for the future, and fostering a sense of community to name a few. Additionally, the STH garden is an ideal environment for learning and applying vocational skills which can be transferred to employment, volunteering etc. Its effects can be broad ranging and longstanding.
The overall purpose is to promote good health and facilitate a journey to recovery and resilience for life outside the STH garden. The sessions may include horticultural activities, botanical crafts, talking and supporting each other as well as other wellbeing related pursuits.
About STH
Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) provides an abundance of opportunities and activities to improve physical and emotional wellbeing. This may include promoting fitness and building physical strength, increasing self-esteem, reducing stress and the effects of mental ill health, providing hope for the future, and fostering a sense of community to name a few. Additionally, the STH garden is an ideal environment for learning and applying vocational skills which can be transferred to employment, volunteering etc. Its effects can be broad ranging and longstanding.
The overall purpose is to promote good health and facilitate a journey to recovery and resilience for life outside the STH garden. The sessions may include horticultural activities, botanical crafts, talking and supporting each other as well as other wellbeing related pursuits.
Evidence of the benefits of Growing Forward and STH
The Growing Forward pilot scheme, delivered in collaboration with Summerwood Community Garden and Windmill Community Gardens, was very successful. Some clients, turned volunteers are key members in helping to build our service further, including development of a volunteer steering group and buddying scheme. A full report of our pilot project is available on request.
We have now secured funding to deliver the service based at Windmill Community Gardens.
Professional Body for Social & Therapeutic Horticulture
Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) organisations Trellis and Thrive are working together to create a Professional Body for STH. Growing Forward is involved in the development of this body.