When Liam O’Connor discovered Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) while working as an Occupational Therapist (OT) vocational instructor, he saw the benefits gardening brings to people.
Working alongside an STH Practitioner in the Jersey Health and Care Service pain team, he supported clients in developing pain management strategies and day-to-day wellbeing through purposeful gardening and nature-based activities.
I could see the positive impact on clients’ health and wellbeing through working with plants and being in nature,
reflects Liam
Inspired, Liam enrolled on our Diploma in Social and Therapeutic Horticulture to gain the knowledge and structure to deliver STH. Soon after starting, departmental changes led to Liam taking over the STH programme where he turned a neglected outdoor space into a therapeutic garden for which the course was a great support.
The diploma helped me to understand different therapeutic gardens and how these are developed for access by clients who have a range of health conditions and needs, and supported me in developing the site so that is accessible to all.
It also helped me to understand the processes to support the client journey, and enabled me to feel confident in delivering STH both for pain sufferers and for a generic client group.
Today, Liam is the STH practitioner within the pain service OT team. He runs the programme for pain service clients, whilst also delivering additional sessions for members of Pain Support Jersey, the service’s associated charity. In addition, he facilitates sessions focused on wellbeing and social inclusion, including for adults referred from inpatient mental health services.
Since graduating, he has presented across his service and at a directorate level, on the benefits STH, and advises other health and care teams on plant and nature-based interventions.
Our training transforms gardening and nature into a skilled, evidence-based way of supporting others, just as it did for Liam.
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