Life

Gardening the focus of theraputic project

GARDENING is being used as a tool to promote mental and emotional wellbeing through a new pilot project, the first of its kind in the north.

The 'Wellbeing With Nature' project, funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA), will run over two years and involve around 200 people from Belfast.

Participants, who are referred by mental-health services, will take part in an eight-week course which uses gardening as a form of therapy for people with mental health issues including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

"Gardening can be a very effective tool in reducing stress and improving health and wellbeing," Seamus Mullen of the PHA, said. "Through gardening, people can build new friendships and improve their self-esteem, which can lead to better mental health."

The course will be delivered by a horticultural therapist and and run by Blossoms at Larne Lough at purpose-built therapy gardens.

Those who take part in the weekly sessions will learn about planning and looking to the future when gardening as well as about crop growing and healthier eating.

* THERAPY: Horticultural therapist Liz Hanvey and Dara McGaughey of the Public Health Agency at the purpose-built gardens which will host a pilot project to promote mental health