Countdown to Horticultural Therapy Garden

Prior to the pandemic, SERC secured funding from the Ulster Garden Villages Ltd Grant Fund to develop a horticultural therapy garden for the Holywood community. Preparation of the garden for planting has already commenced and the horticulture team are getting ready to launch the garden on 19 November – watch this space for further details over the coming weeks.

Horticulture therapy is the process of using plants and gardens to improve physical and mental health, as well as developing communication and thinking skills.  A horticultural therapy garden is considered as being a safe and secure place to develop someone's ability to mix socially, make friends and learn practical skills that will help them to be more independent.  

Claire Dunwoody, Horticulture Lecturer at SERC said, 'Over the last few years there has been a growing body of evidence supporting the benefits of horticultural therapy, community growing, green spaces and outdoor education for physical and mental wellbeing. Horticultural therapy and other tasks involved in community growing (such as regular exercise), alongside healthier eating patterns (usually the result of eating fresh produce grown in the garden), are often cited in such research. This exciting project will provide a therapy space for the local community."

It’s not too late get involved in the garden build!   If you have a couple of hours to spare on a Tuesday, contact Horticultural Lecturer, Claire Dunwoody by email: cdunwoody@serc.ac.uk