Winter 2010

Issue 85

Cultivate NSW

Inside this issue:

Out of the Box

2

Healing Plants—

Horticulture for

Health

2

Horticultural therapy

from Victorian times

3

Contact Details 4

Training Opportunity

Horticultural Therapy

for dementia

4

Membership update 4

Horticultural Therapy

Society of NSW

In May members of the Horticultural Therapy Society of NSW ran an educational workshop at Mount Tomah Botanic Garden. An interesting presentation was facili-tated by Ruth McLean, combined with a colourful tour of the autumn Garden led by Karen Gray, resulting in a most enjoyable day.

This was the first time horticultural therapy had been offered at the new Waratah Education Centre. The workshop ‘Gardens for Health’ attracted a diverse group of people. Some came along to learn about herbs, however after Ruth’s presenta-tion there is a much greater awareness of the use of horticulture as therapy, and the range of different areas where it can be applied. One participant at the work-shop is now exploring ways of combining horticultural therapy into a large nursing home in Richmond, and staff at Mount Tomah are planning an ongoing program for visitors. Botanic Gardens around the world are using this as a way to connect people and plants in the broader community. (NB there will be more on this in our next newsletter). Karen Gray

Mt Tomah visit

14 May 2010

Gardens for Health

In Memorium Many members are aware of the tireless contribution over many years by Nan Barbour to the NSW Horticultural Therapy Society. Much of Nan’s inspiration was derived through her care of beloved son Jeremy Gibson. Sadly Jeremy passed away on June 5 this year, following a period of illness. Our thoughts are with Nan at this time of bereave-ment.

Cultivate NSW Page 2

There is widespread misunderstanding in the community about what Horticulture Therapy is, with many people assuming that

it is about Herbal remedies. When CultivateNSW led a workshop recently at Mt Tomah Botanic gardens, there were 1-2

participants who hoped we would be discussing plants for medicine. As horticultural therapists, we use gardening as an activity

rather than plants as medicine. However we shouldn’t dismiss this confusion about horticultural therapy. Understanding

these uses of plants can contribute to any Horticultural Therapy program -it can enrich sensory gardens, enhance ‘ Plot to

Plate’ cooking schemes, or widen the range of plant based activities for clients to enjoy.

There are many common garden plants that have been used for medicinal purposes over the centuries. Botanic names can

provide a clue: any plant with the species name officinalis was used medicinally from the times when monasteries held society’s

healing knowledge e.g. Melissa officinalis the calming lemon balm or Calendula officinalis which soothes the skin.

Herbalist Susan’s Weed’s approach is to begin with minimal intervention: first observe and do nothing, then consider the mild-

est approach. This might be by providing a healing environment to spend time in. Visitors to a sensory garden can crush the

leaves of lavender, rosemary or lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) to enjoy the effects of the plant oils.

The next step would be to apply the plants to our skin e.g. Aloe vera is an easy-to- grow plant which can be used externally

for mild burns and rashes. Plant oils can be massaged into the skin, as in aromatherapy. There is research which suggests that

essential oils of lavender and lemon balm help to reduce agitation in people with dementia.

The next stage would be to take the plant internally and there are many ways this can be done. Many people use herbs in

cooking – sage, thyme, ginger and garlic are great in soups and stews especially over the winter months. Another gentle way to

enjoy the healing effects of plants is as a tea. Try growing and drinking lemon balm, chamomile or peppermint.

Various plants are also available in processed form to be taken internally. There are flower remedies which use the energy of

flowers. The Bush flower essence made from the waratah (aka Telopea)is used to promote courage tenacity and adaptability

– very appropriate for the CultivateNSW logo. Tinctures are more concentrated plant extracts and best taken in consulta-

tion with a qualified herbalist or naturopath. An example is Echinacea purpurea, widely available in tablet or liquid form and

taken to support the immune system. It is an easily grown perennial with a bold pink daisy flower, an attractive specimen for

any garden. Many of the plants we call Weeds have also been used for healing. Couch which we dread in our garden beds is

used to treat urinary tract infections, the prickly nettle as a tonic.

As horticultural therapists we need to take plants seriously. Be very aware of plants that are poisonous e.g. rhubarb leaves

are highly toxic so many therapeutic gardens will not include this plant. It is critical that plants are identified correctly -parsley

makes a great garnish, but the poisonous hemlock which looks somewhat similar can be deadly. It’s also a good idea to follow

organic gardening principles to reduce toxic inputs.

You can add an extra dimension to your horticultural therapy program by taking all this into account. It could be by carefully

offering calming scents near seats in a garden, or involving participants in activities such as harvesting and enjoying a cup of

refreshing herbal tea. For more information, there are many books and courses available. In the meantime, Cultivate-NSW

will continue to promote Horticultural therapy as a respected field distinct from herbal medicine.

Please note that the information provided here is of a general nature and cannot substitute for the advice of a medical professional.

Out of the box

An interesting forum ‘Out of the Box’ was hosted in June at Hornsby, by a consortium of aged and com-munity care services from northern Sydney. The Horticultural Therapy Society provided a display table to promote the organisation and the opportunities for participants to include horticultural therapy into their centres. The speakers covered a diverse range of topics and a range of different therapies, includ-ing art and music therapy, many of which are currently being used to improve their client’s well being.

John Watkins CEO for Alzheimers Australia NSW, spoke of the large increases of people living with de-mentia in our ageing population. In 2009 there were 1300 new cases diagnosed every month and it now considered the third highest cause of death. Alzheimers Australia has a positive program titled ‘Mind Your Mind’ focusing on ways of caring for your brain, heart, body and diet together with regular health checks, an active social life and healthy habits. All great reasons to be gardening!

Cultivate NSW has coordinated the delivery of a program of horticultural therapy for people working with people living with dementia. See page 4 for details

Echinacea purpurea

Healing Plants - Horticulture for Health

Page 3 Horticultural Therapy Society of NSW

John Groom – a Victorian reformer

Most of us are familiar with the images of Victorian England graphically portrayed in the written works of Charles Dickens, many of which have been transferred in recent times to visual media as films and musi-cal entertainments. Life in industrial Victorian England was hard, especially for children, who suffered from infections and diseases which today are controlled with better nutrition and medicine.

From the middle of the 19th century, various charities were established to help poor street children by pro-viding organised work for them. The orphanages and children’s services founded by Dr Thomas Barnardo were also established here in Australia where a derivative of the UK organisation continues to provide support services for children and families. A contemporary of Barnardo, born in the same year, 1845, was John Alfred Groom, a London engraver and evangelical preacher. Johns family was not well off, but as John grew up he began to see that there were other children much worse off than him. He felt especially concerned with the plight of the young girls who were starving because they could not work in the facto-ries like their friends, because they were injured or disabled. Many of these girls would stand on the streets, around Farringdon Market, leaning on home-made crutches, trying to sell small bunches of flow-ers or watercress.

In 1866, Groom established the 'Watercress and Flower Girls' Christian Mission to provide a home and work for young and disabled flower sellers. With the support of Lord Shaftesbury, Groom bought empty houses for these women and girls to live in, and eventually opened an orphanage in the seaside town of Clacton in Essex and initiated the possibility of holidays for people with a disability.

Taking inspiration from the trend for handmade flowers, most of which were imported into England from France and Germany, and using funds donated by Lord Shaftsbury, John Groom bought and set up a fac-tory where the girls with a disability could make artificial flowers and thus make a living for themselves. ‘All Factory Acts and regulations are in force here, as in an ordinary trading factory. We also have ten houses each in the charge of a ‘mother’. Everything is done to cultivate home life and influence the girls for good.’ The John Groom’s charity, John Groom’s Association for Disabled People, continued to offer services for people with disabilities, ranging from specially designed housing, residential care, holidays and rehabilita-tion for people with head injuries to advocacy to raise awareness of disability issues well into the 20th Century. The Association finally closed its doors in 1979. ref: John Groom’s story in his own words

Today many of the same issues face people living with a disability– accommodation, meaningful employment, safety and the support of an advocate.

The Horticultural Therapy Society of NSW and the Telopea Centre have been established to provide these things in limited capacity, with training in horticulture as the medium. Flexible delivery of training in Horticulture at Cert 1 & Cert II level is available through TAFE. For more information, please contact Louise Lourey at the Telopea Centre. Cultivate-NSW can provide training and support of staff and carers wishing to use horticulture as therapy. Please use the Society’s contact details on page 4.

The painting—’The Flower Seller‘ by William Frith was

owned by John Groom’s UK charity. Prints and repro-ductions were used as a source of fund-raising.

The Flower Seller, 1865

Artist: William Powell Frith

Cultivate NSW

Page 4 Issue 85

Horticultural Therapy Society of

NSW

Telopea Centre

250 Blaxland Road

Ryde, NSW 2112

Phone: (02) 9448. 6392

e-mail: info@cultivatensw.org..au

Connecting people and plants

Horticultural Therapy training

to support people living with dementia

Date: October 7 & 8—2010

Time: 9.00 am—4.30 pm

Venue: Telopea Centre, Ryde Campus of TAFE

Cost: $285.00

Participants will receive a Certificate of Participation from TAFE NSW.

Program is developed with support from Alzheimer’s Australia NSW, Carers NSW and the Occupational Therapy Association of NSW.

Enquiries about the program, contact Cultivate NSW; details on this page.

To enrol call Louise @ Ryde TAFE on (02) 9448 6301. Numbers strictly limited.

Horticulture Therapy training to support

people living with dementia

In this course you will learn:

Key features of dementia that make horticultural therapy relevant

The benefits of gardens and gardening as therapy for people with dementia

Designing to create suitable and supportive environments

Planning a program of therapeutic activities using plants

Setting client appropriate goals and evaluations for people with dementia.

NB: Reference will be made to the specific needs of CALD and ATSI communities and carers

Details for enrolment below

Membership fees:

The current rates for membership are:

Individual member: $25.00 pa

Pensioner / student member: $10.00 pa

Organisation/Corporate Member: $50.00 pa

The membership period commences annually in April.

Direct Deposits are available for donations and membership renewals. The Horticultural Therapy Society of NSW has reviewed the mailing list in recent weeks. Please advise the Society if you have wish to unsubscribe or be removed from the membership and distribution lists.

www.cultivatensw.org.au