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horticultural therapist
Horticultural therapists use gardening as a means of improving health and well-being.
Their clients include:
- people with physical disabilities, mental health problems and learning difficulties
- those recovering from major injuries or illnesses
- elderly people.
Some therapists develop programmes for the rehabilitation of offenders or those suffering from drug or alcohol abuse. This often involves working closely with other professionals such as psychologists and social workers.
Horticultural therapists tailor their programmes to the needs of individual clients. This can include:
- developing confidence, self-esteem, practical or social skills
- learning or re-learning basic skills, including numeracy and literacy
- providing sensory stimulus
- providing supportive outdoor activity and exercise to restore strength and mobility after an accident or illness
- providing tranquil, restorative environments.
Horticultural therapists support and encourage their clients, and monitor their progress in meeting their objectives.
They may also support clients in gaining horticultural qualifications or going on to open or supported employment.
Other responsibilities include managing staff and volunteers, securing funding and drawing up proposals for developing projects.
Hours and Environment
As an horticultural therapist your working hours will be variable and may include weekends and evenings. There could be opportunities for part-time work.
Skills and Interests
To be a horticultural therapist you need:
- enthusiasm and a keen interest in horticulture
- patience, tolerance and understanding
- the ability to relate positively and respectfully to all kinds of people
- the ability to encourage and motivate
- the ability to teach various skills
- the ability to make the most of limited budgets
- awareness of health and safety issues.
Entry
Most people move into the work after gaining skills and experience in another career, either in horticulture or in professions such as social work, occupational therapy, nursing or teaching. To find out more about all of these, check our relevant profiles.
If you already have qualifications and experience in one of these areas you can gain skills in horticultural therapy in the following ways:
- attending short courses and doing voluntary work at a social and therapeutic horticulture project
- doing a course leading to a qualification in social and therapeutic horticulture (available at a small number of colleges).
Thrive is a national charity which aims to help bring about positive change in the lives of disadvantaged people through the use of gardening and horticulture. They offer a variety of short courses for new entrants and for those with experience.
Voluntary opportunities are available with Thrive if you live within travelling distance of their gardens in the following areas:
- Hackney (North London)
- Battersea (South London)
- Beech Hill (near Reading)
- Perth (Scotland)
- Rotherham (South Yorkshire).
They also keep details of other projects around the UK.
Contact Thrive for full information on their courses, voluntary opportunities and on working in social and therapeutic horticulture - see Further Information below for contact details.
The following courses are available:
- Professional Development Certificate in Social and Therapeutic Horticulture at Coventry University
- Professional Development Diploma in Social and Therapeutic Horticulture at Coventry University
- Social and Therapeutic Horticulture foundation degree at Nottingham Trent University
- Animals and Horticulture as Therapy foundation degree at Myerscough College, Preston
- BSc (Hons) in Horticulture at the University of Reading (includes a module in Horticultural Therapy)
- MSc in Horticulture at the University of Reading (with the option of specialisation in therapeutic horticulture).
You may also be accepted on some of these courses if you do not have relevant qualifications in horticulture or a caring profession if you have experience in one of these areas, perhaps gained through voluntary work.
To find out about entry requirements for the courses please check the websites of the individual colleges or universities - there are links in Further Information below.
Because you will be working with vulnerable people, you will have to have a criminal record check before you are accepted on a course.
Training
When you are employed as an horticultural therapist you may receive on-the-job training.
You could also develop your skills by attending short courses, such as those run by Thrive, or by working towards qualifications in horticulture, such as the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Diploma in Horticulture. See Further Information below for links to the Thrive and RHS websites, where you can find out about courses and qualifications.
Opportunities
Horticultural therapy is a fairly new area and relatively few posts are advertised. Some organisations may offer relevant jobs under different titles such as project worker or horticultural trainer.
As an horticultural therapist you could work on organised projects for particular client groups, or use horticultural therapy as part of a wider role, such as occupational therapy. You could work in a number of different places, including:
- day services/community based projects
- residential care homes
- rehabilitation units
- hospitals
- prisons
- charitable and voluntary organisations
- schools and specialist colleges.
Thrive employs therapists in four gardens around the UK.
Annual Income
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
There are no national salary scales, and salaries vary between employers.
Starting salaries may range between around £13,000 and around £16,500 a year.
Experienced therapists may earn from around £17,000 to £20,000 or more.
Further information
Bilsborrow
Preston
PR3 0RY
Tel: 01995 642211
Coventry
CV1 5FB
Tel: 024 7688 7688
Stoneleigh Park
Nr Coventry
Warwickshire
CV8 2LG
Tel: 0845 707 8007
Beech Hill
Reading
RG7 2AT
Tel:0118 988 5688
London
SW1X 8PS
Beech Hill
Reading
RG7 2AT
Tel:0118 988 5688
PO Box 217
Reading
RG6 6AH
Tel: 0118 987 5123
Back To Animals Plants and Land Careers
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Site Disclaimer
The information contained in our Career Profiles Database was correct at time of publishing, but since publication certain details may have changed so please use this section as a research tool and in some cases further research may be required.
Careers Database Information By Learn Direct Advice