Posted April 12, 2009
GARDENING schemes, such as the Growth Therapy project at Garden Organic Ryton, help people with learning disabilities to develop skills and coping strategies.
Horticultural therapist June Hughes has been working in the Growth Therapy garden at Garden Organic Ryton for 16 years.
Her pupils, aged between 20 and 50, have learning disabilities such as autism and downs syndrome and are referred to the project by social services.
“They come here for the day and I teach them gardening,” said June.
“Some come weekly, some come twice weekly, and they do everything from seeding to picking out, planting and lawn mowing.
“They get a lot out of it and it’s clear that it’s better than sitting in a day centre.
“Their achievements here have been wonderful.
“They all sit down together and sow seeds and it has a calming effect. It also helps them to integrate.
“They can take on a job and by the end of the day they can see something for their effort..
“It’s therapeutic because they are achieving things.” But couldn’t an indoor activity, like an art class or a knitting workshop have the same effect? “I really don’t think so,” says June.
“Gardening is therapy for anyone.
It’s the fact you’re outdoors not indoors.
“Getting out into the atmosphere and working with nature, listening to the birds, you feel you are out here with the world.
“I can think of nothing else that can have that effect.”
Date: April 8, 2009
