Course CodeBHT341Fee CodeS2Duration (approx)100 hoursQualificationTo obtain formal documentation the optional exam(s) must be completed which will incur an additional fee of £30. Alternatively, a letter of completion may be requested. Use Horticulture to Improve People's Lives Horticultural therapy (also known as ‘social and therapeutic horticulture’) uses the activities associated with horticulture such as gardening, plant propagation, plant care, visits to natural environments and gardens and parks etc. in personal development; to engender a feeling of well-being, improve physical health and encourage social interaction. The therapy may be focused on either: Improving or maintaining muscle function, and other aspects of physical well being. Psychological well being (e.g. helping elderly people stay active in their declining years, helping disabled people to have a sense of worth, providing an opportunity for social interaction, etc.). Providing a pathway to rehabilitation; or perhaps providing an alternative lifestyle. Developing practical skills. Developing social skills. Rehabilitation of physically or psychologically damaged individuals. Lesson Structure There are 9 lessons in this course: Scope and Nature of Horticultural Therapy Why Horticultural Therapy? Who uses Horticultural Therapy? Where can we use Horticultural Therapy Programs? What are the Benefits of Using Horticultural Therapy General Benefits Physical Benefits Psychological Benefits What do you need to be a Horticultural Therapist? Typical Jobs or Career Paths Liability Understanding Disabilities and Communicating with people with disabilities - Communication, Teaching and Counselling Skills The significance of communication skills to interacting with clients in a horticultural therapy situation What are Intellectual disabilities/ intellectually challenged/ learning? What are mental illnesses /mental health issues/ mental disorders? What is Communication? Effective Communication Skills Self-Awareness Self-Esteem Listening Teaching Skills Learning Principles - What is Learning? Teaching Strategies Teaching Models Recognising Learner’s Needs Writing a Program Counselling Skills Risk Management - Hygiene for vulnerable people; what extra risks are to be considered in a therapy situation - chemical, physical Identifying potential risks to participants within a horticultural therapy program Developing risk minimisation procedures Risk Management for Vulnerable People Workplace Health and Safety Issues Identifying Hazards Assessing sites and operations for risk Conducting a Safety Audit Risk Control Methods Safety Precautions for a Horticultural Therapy Program Manual Lifting Rules for Using Tools Personal Protective Equipment Accessibility and Activities for people with Mobility issues Determine solutions to improve accessibility for disabled people in horticultural situations Ensuring that horticultural therapy is offered in a way that is accessible to clients and their particular needs Help With Manual Tasks Examples of Adaptations in Tools and Equipment Physical Support Understanding Ergonomics Working with other Professionals Protective Gear Enabling the Disabled - with restricted motor skills Modify horticultural practices to be suitable for disabled people Enabling Gardening Activities Gardening in Raised Beds Staged Therapies Horticultural Therapy for Mental Disorders Effectiveness of Horticultural Activities Producing Things – Vegetables, Propagation, Fruit, Herbs The Garden - A Growing Place Planning the Crop What to Grow? Planning the Cropping Program Crop Rotation No-Dig Techniques Propagation Sowing and Transplanting Guide Transplanting Seedlings Crowns, Offsets and Tubers Cold Frames Fruit Herbs Propagating Herbs Culinary Herbs Directory Growing in Containers -Vertical gardens, pots, Hydroponics Growing Plants in Containers Problems that can occur with Pots Growing Fruit Trees in a Container Growing Strawberries in Containers Growing Vegetables in Containers Vertical gardens Hydroponics A Simple Hydroponic System Creating a Therapeutic Garden Learn to create gardens that are appropriate for horticultural therapy situations Creating a Therapeutic Garden Consulting with other Professionals Garden Retreats for Rest and Recuperation Sensory Gardens Some popular Plants for a therapeutic garden Landscape Principles Design Elements Plants to Avoid or to use under Certain Conditions Generating Income Explore ways that horticultural therapy can become a partial or fully funded activity by generating income Working with Others Work Hours & Pay Sheltered Workshops Therapeutic Farms Small Business Opportunities for Disabled People Certification & Registration What are the Benefits of Horticultural Therapy? There are many benefits to be gained from horticultural therapy. These benefits are both physical and psychological. People of any age can participate in horticultural therapy. The horticultural therapist can individualise the work they do with a person, according to their abilities, so activities in horticultural therapy should be accessible for all. A horticultural therapist needs to be part horticulturist, part health care worker, part counsellor, and sometimes other things beyond these. They can work in medical or health care institutions (e.g. Hospitals, Homes for Elderly), community centres, special schools (e.g. for people with disabilities), Sheltered Workshop, Prisons, or any other relevant situation. Horticultural therapy is used for people with a wide range of cognitive, physical and social skills, including those people: Suffering from heart disease Suffering from stroke With sight impairment (the blind and the partially sighted With dementia With learning disabilities With physical disabilities (including amputees) With underdeveloped social skills Chronically unemployed Disengaged teenagers In substance abuse recovery Recovering from illness Coming to terms with grief Adjusting after personal difficulties in their lives With terminal illness. Rehabilitating after a period in hospital. With physical restrictions - such as the elderly. Children – in general WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS COURSE? People working in rehabilitation. Horticulturists that want to work in this field. Health care professionals wanting to extend their knowledge. HOW TO ENROL Click box below on left hand side - follow instructions. IF YOU NEED ADVICE - click here to use our FREE ADVISORY SERVICE