Cultivate News

Workshop - Introduction to Therapeutic Horticulture, August 2019

1st August, 2019
Camperdown Commons

Slideshow

Intro to TH Workshop August 2019

On Thursday 1st August we held our second one day workshop: 'Introduction to Therapeutic Horticulture,’ facilitated by Toni Salter.

As with the first workshop, it was sold out and attracted a great mix of people from different backgrounds and interests including Counselling, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Social Work as well as existing TH practitioners eager to share their passion and experiences and to refresh and update their knowledge. Attendees travelled from QLD and regional NSW to be part of the day.

We also used the event to officially announce the launch of the new website and to describe some of the great benefits on offer for members, including the project, business and members' directories which will enable members to engage with each other and to collaborate on projects and work opportunities.

One of the highlights of the day was a ‘walk in their shoes’ activities where we all had a chance to wear glasses that represented various eye diseases such as macular degeneration and glaucoma and to be lead by a ’therapist’ around the garden at Camperdown Commons. Everyone had a new appreciation for the difficulties faced by those among us who are visually impaired, whilst at the same time being challenged as the ’therapist’ to provide an experience for the ‘client’ that worked with and enhanced their other sensory abilities such as smell and taste.

It was a lively and fun-filled day and judging by the comments it was also inspirational. Thank you Toni!

A total of thirty people have now attended the two Intro to TH workshops and we still have people on the waiting list and bodes well for the growth and strength of the industry.

It also has a huge bearing on where we as an association will head post the AGM. Stay tuned as we have some exciting developments to announce in education and training, hopefully before Christmas.


Some participant feedback from the workshop:

"Congratulations and thank you... I enjoyed the workshop from beginning to end! A wonderful introduction to the principles of using plants and garden activities as a way to help with healing and well being."

"A very good intro to TH, covering all the basics. Toni was very energetic, clear and direct. It really helped to have some information about assessment forms ...This makes it much easier to evaluate the program and share outcomes. It was a very nice surprise to have a cafe coffee any yummy pastries for morning tea. Much appreciated :-)"