In part due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Horticulture Therapy has emerged as a rapidly growing field of healthcare, driven by the increasing acceptance of the physical and mental benefits of outdoor activities and the growing concept of green prescribing.
Horticultural Therapy, also known as Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH), uses plants, gardens, and gardening activities to improve the physical, mental, and social well-being of individuals. Trained practitioners facilitate garden-related activities in various settings to help people develop skills, increase confidence, find purpose, connect with nature and others, and achieve a sense of independence and well-being.
Founded in 2024 by Cath Manuel and Anna Baker Cresswell, Therapeutic Gardening Tours (TGT) offers healthcare professionals insights into this growing field, through visits to specialised gardens and leading therapeutic horticultural therapy organisations and engaging with industry leaders.
The tours include visits to organisations such as Horatio’s Gardens, Serge Hill, Tuppenny Barn, Guy’s and St. Thomas’s, Rosemary & Thyme, along with masterclasses from leading specialists in the field, such as Sue Stuart-Smith, Professor Alistair Griffiths, and Fiona Thackeray. Participants receive Continuing Professional Development (CPD) certificates for the days in attendance.
A qualified Horticulturist and the brainchild behind TGT, Cath Manuel specialised in the field of Therapeutic Horticulture, supporting people from all walks of life to engage in gardening activities, grow fresh food and nurture wellness. She holds a Diploma in Horticulture, Diploma in Community Services, Certificate in Horticultural Therapy, and Permaculture Design Certificate, along with additional training in Social and Therapeutic Horticulture at Thrive, UK. Manuel has worked with the Maggie Beer Foundation, presented at national conferences and events, and shared her knowledge through publications, training, and media. She lives in Queensland where she has a show on ABC Sunshine Coast radio promoting horticultural therapy.
Seeking to highlight therapeutic gardens globally, Manuel encountered specialist Anna Baker Creswell, leading to the establishment of TGT. A proud Northumbrian, Baker Creswell has dedicated the past decade to the military charity sector. She obtained a degree in Social & Therapeutic Horticulture from Coventry University and introduced Horticultural Therapy to the military in the United Kingdom through Gardening Leave, established in 2007 in memory of her mother. Additionally, she founded HighGround in 2012 to assist former military personnel in securing fulfilling and enjoyable outdoor jobs, particularly within the land-based sector.
“I was very proud when Dr Richard Claxton asked me to become a Trustee of Gardening4Health and his appointment as the new Chief Executive of the National Garden Scheme will be a game changer for Horticultural Therapy as he has been the principal cheerleader of green social prescribing in the NHS,” explained Baker Cresswell.
Through their collaborative efforts, Manuel and Baker Cresswell aspire to foster a global recognition of the value of horticultural therapy and hope that hope that employers worldwide will recognise the potential of this therapeutic approach. Through encouraging participation, employees will be able to expand their professional networks, gain insights into the application of horticultural therapy to diverse client groups, and importantly actively share their acquired knowledge and experiences to patients and colleagues, within their respective countries.
