Growing up on a farm and market garden in Northern Ireland, Deborah entered the field from a young age and then went on to join the Ulster Defence Regiment CGC. Following injuries sustained in terrorist attacks, Deborah was medically discharged. Years later, she sought support for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) through Combat Stress. It was at Hollybush House in Ayrshire - surrounded by nature - that Deborah began to restore her wellbeing.
Deeply grateful for the support she received and motivated to help fellow veterans facing similar challenges, Deborah was compelled to complete a BSc (Hons) in Psychology with Counselling. She then volunteered at the Walled Garden at Colebrooke Estate, Co. Fermanagh, one of two Hub gardens in Northern Ireland for the Defence Gardens Scheme (DGS), and this is how her journey to delivering STH began.
Learning at Thrive and delivering STH with the DGS has enabled me to continue to restore myself and inspire others facing similar challenges.
“Working alongside the head gardener, I gained valuable experience that led to an invitation from DGS founder Sally Coulthard MBE to assist with a ten-week therapeutic gardening programme at Ashes to Gold. I went on to lead four courses at this site.”
Deborah delivered the first ever DGS programme in a prison setting - specifically for veterans in the Justice System within HMP Maghaberry, a Category A facility. “To date, we’ve completed several programmes and are proud of the positive impact on participants’ wellbeing.”
She also taught horticulture at a DGS Spoke Garden at Aldergrove Flying Station, guiding military families in growing, storing, and cooking their own food. Many continue these practices at home or on local allotments, creating lasting impact.
As part of the Diploma in STH, Deborah developed a therapeutic garden of remembrance ‘The Thiepval Wood Project’ for the Somme Nursing Home in memory of those who fought and died in The Battle of the Somme during World War One. The garden was built by fellow veterans who attend the Defence Garden Scheme at The Somme Nursing Home Belfast, and Deborah used her learning when leading therapeutic horticultural sessions to cultivate plants and develop the project.*
“Inspired by trench maps of Thiepval Wood and the language of flowers, the garden symbolises the attributes of service men and women. Using skills acquired on the course, I also contributed to a successful £30,000 funding application to the Veterans’ Foundation to support the garden’s construction.”
While leading a voluntary ten-week horticultural programme at the Somme Nursing Home’s DGS spoke garden, Deborah worked with veterans with varied limitations including blindness and neurological impairments.
“Their participation enriched my learning and supported my journey to becoming a fully qualified STH practitioner. There was very positive feedback from the veterans who enjoyed learning horticulture and the social engagement during the short course, ” she says.
Learning at Thrive and delivering STH with the DGS has enabled Deborah to use gardening and nature to support herself and others facing similar challenges.
“It is a privilege to support others in their altruism. Opening up new ideas and ways of using the principles of STH with diverse groups is a clear way to see more STH provided to those in need,” reflects Damien Newman, Training, Education and Consultancy Manager at Thrive.
“Deborah, similar to many of our students has learned from our course to turn the general principles of STH into focussed judgements of how to arrange gardening to support the health and wellness of a very specific group of people. The Thiepval wood project shows the skills of developing gardens, and the delivery of sessions adapted specifically to needs and outcomes.”
* Deborah would like to thank:
The Directors, Trustees and Executive Director of the Somme Nursing Home.
The Veterans' Foundation for their generous financial support.
Charlie Marno National Operations Manager for the Defence Gardens Scheme, for leading the project.
RA Johnston Building Contractors for their practical support and equipment.
Delwyn Thompson for his skills.
Paul McCann and the Royal Signals Association (Northern Ireland Branch) for their commitment and support.
Blind Veterans UK and every veteran, volunteer and supporter who contributed their time, skills and enthusiasm.