Health

Sowing seeds of hope in a new approach to addictions services in Armagh

When the coronavirus pandemic struck, it brought unwelcome changes to indoor face-to-face services for people with addictions. Undaunted, a collaboration between service users and staff has transformed a neglected courtyard in St Luke's Hospital in Armagh into a thriving garden and outdoor therapy space. Mairead Holland finds out more

A courtyard at St Luke’s Hospital in Armagh has been transformed thanks to the hard work of staff and service users from the Southern Trust’s Community Addiction Service, along with the help of green-fingered volunteers. Mental Health Champion Professor Siobhan O’Neill, pictured centre, is among those to visit the garden, which has brought an added and creative dimension to the promotion of recovery and wellbeing 
A courtyard at St Luke’s Hospital in Armagh has been transformed thanks to the hard work of staff and service users from the Southern Trust’s Community Addiction Service, along with the help of green-fingered volunteers. Mental Health Champion A courtyard at St Luke’s Hospital in Armagh has been transformed thanks to the hard work of staff and service users from the Southern Trust’s Community Addiction Service, along with the help of green-fingered volunteers. Mental Health Champion Professor Siobhan O’Neill, pictured centre, is among those to visit the garden, which has brought an added and creative dimension to the promotion of recovery and wellbeing 

FOR many painful years, Sean's life revolved around drinking. The pub was not only his favourite place but also his torture chamber, as his relationships and self-respect unravelled due to alcoholism.

Today, having recently turned 60, one of the Armagh man's greatest pleasures is to be found not in a pint glass but in his small, teeming garden.

Whether it's picking his own, home-grown scallions for an egg sandwich, plucking a fresh pea or watching his flowers transform from tiny seedlings into colourful blooms, Sean has found new purpose, contentment and a realisation that alcohol doesn't have to define him, and that it's never too late to try new things.

The father-of-three and grandfather-of-10's interest in gardening was ignited by the 'Sow and Grow' project, run by the Southern Health Trust's Community Addictions Service.

Sean was one of a number of service users - all of whom are battling alcohol and/or drug addiction as well as mental health challenges - who helped transform an overgrown and little-used courtyard area at St Luke's Hospital in Armagh into a haven of peace and relaxation.

The idea was developed through 'SoHope' (Southern Hope), a group of staff and service users who work together to improve addictions services across the area.

Over the course of several months earlier this year, and with the help of The ARC horticultural group for people with learning disabilities as well as Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, the courtyard was redesigned, cleared of weeds and undergrowth, replanted and rejuvenated, with staff and service users working and learning side by side.

It now boasts a shrubbery, allotment, lawn, seating, bird table and 'bug hotel', and has become a favourite spot for staff from various departments, service users and carers to relax, have a chat or just enjoy spending some time outdoors, especially as society begins to emerge from the difficult Covid period.

For Sean (his real name has been withheld at his request), who has been using the addiction service for the past 30 years, with long periods of sobriety but some 'slips' as well, the project couldn't have come at a better time.

Although used to living on his own, like many other people he was feeling the effects of social isolation due to coronavirus.

"There's only so many tins of paint you can buy," he laughs, referring to how he had been passing the time by decorating his flat.

"The group got me through and motivated me. It was either go there or fall by the wayside again. It was held every week, and it was another crutch to lean on, in resisting the insanity of alcoholism.

"The good thing about it was that it gave me an interest. The way it was structured - we had a volunteer coming (from The Conservation Volunteers) and giving us instructions and advice about gardening techniques and what to do. There was no pressure on anybody.

"At the same time, you would have been working beside a nurse and she would have said, 'Are you all right this week, Sean? You're not just your usual self'.

"And you got wee things off your chest that you'd been carrying about with you, and which could possibly have led to your downfall again."

He laughs as he recalls heading out early in the morning, having borrowed a pensioner's shopping trolley, so he could buy two bags of compost and wheel them home - a far cry from his drinking days.

The course was structured around the Five Steps to Wellbeing - namely connecting with other people, being physically active, learning new skills, giving to others and mindfulness.

Such was its success that it was followed by the 'Weed and Feed' group, where the service users met weekly to continue caring for the garden, and at the same time benefit from the professional guidance of the nurses on issues such as managing cravings, self-care and awareness of triggers.

The group got me through and motivated me. It was either go there or fall by the wayside again. It was held every week, and it was another crutch to lean on, in resisting the insanity of alcoholism Sean, St Luke’s courtyard garden service user

Julie Ann Gray, a community addictions service team leader, was one of the staff members who pulled on her gardening gloves as part of the group.

She explains: "People with addictions tend to be isolated, have self-esteem issues, low mood and anxiety. They tend to be on the outskirts of society, and relationships with family are often affected.

"With mental health or addiction, you lose that sense of who you are. Your hopes and dreams and hobbies are pushed to the side because your focus is on your substance.

"But addiction is only a small part of who our guys are, so it's about giving them hopes and aspirations that things can be different and that they can value themselves again.

"Total abstinence is the end goal but it's about supporting people through the stages until they get to where they need to be."

We learned a lot more than we would have in the clinical setting, about their families and their struggles through addiction with their families. They could see light at the end of the tunnel Gemma McAuley, community addictions practitioner

Gemma McAuley, community addictions practitioner and mental health nurse, says Sean "completely flourished" in the group.

"I saw significant improvements in everyone who took part," she says.

"Here we were all equal and the conversation seemed to be more open and relaxed.

"The service users were nearly leading the group. We were all on the same wavelength and progressed together.

"We learned a lot more than we would have in the clinical setting, about their families and their struggles through addiction with their families. They could see light at the end of the tunnel."

Gemma McAuley, Rory Gervin and Fiona Kelly from the Southern Trust's Community Addictions Service
Gemma McAuley, Rory Gervin and Fiona Kelly from the Southern Trust's Community Addictions Service Gemma McAuley, Rory Gervin and Fiona Kelly from the Southern Trust's Community Addictions Service

For Sean, the project has provided him with a legacy of hope and shown him that it is possible to broaden his horizons.

"For a long time, I thought everybody else had a life and I had the booby prize. But now I think, 'Why not do a bit of gardening? Why not take up cycling?'" he says.

"Any mistakes that have been made in life, I've made them. It's easier to ignore a thing rather than face up to it. Taking that drink and expecting a different outcome - I don't do that today. Admitting that is the foundation of my sobriety.

"The great joy I have is, touch wood, my drinking is in the past now. There's no guarantees in life and it's one day at a time. But it's not going to happen today."

One of his biggest regrets is the effect his behaviour had on his family, and the constant lying that goes hand in hand with addiction. Although he always held down a job, as an industrial cleaner, his marriage broke up as a result of his alcoholism.

And while he has a relationship of sorts with his children, he points out that there is an understandable "wariness" about his daughter, a fear of being let down again.

But now, when he is Skyping with his grandchildren, he finds himself giving them little gardening tips on how they can grow things from seed, just as he was shown.

He is also able to help with Christmas presents for them. "To me, it's recompense for wrongdoing," he explains.

"The truth is you can never make up for what you have done, for you have hurt so many people. You can just do your best."

Sean and another service user have benefited so much from the projects that it has been arranged for them to return fortnightly, to continue caring for and maintaining the garden.

Julie Ann sums it up aptly when she says: "The seedlings need nurturing and self-care and it's the same with our guys, learning to love and respect themselves again.

"Slips are going to happen, but it's learning to deal with the slips.

"Like a garden, they have the tools we gave them so it's putting those tools into practice and supporting them in the process."

 Staff and service users from The ARC showcasing their hard work at St Luke’s courtyard project
 Staff and service users from The ARC showcasing their hard work at St Luke’s courtyard project  Staff and service users from The ARC showcasing their hard work at St Luke’s courtyard project

GREEN SPACES AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AID RECOVERY

THE therapeutic benefits of green spaces and the outdoors are well known, yet initiatives such as the St Luke's courtyard project in Armagh remain relatively rare.

Mental Health Champion Professor Siobhan O'Neill has advocated the benefits of the approach taken in the Southern Trust's addictions service.

She visited the St Luke's garden in September, meeting with service users, staff, volunteers and others who have helped to make it a reality.

"Addiction is related to trauma and adversity; and healing is fostered through compassionate support in a therapeutic setting," said Prof O'Neill.

"This project uses green spaces, which we know to be therapeutic, and meaningful activity, to promote connection, creativity and hope.

"I am grateful to all those involved and thank the Trust for supporting this and for their commitment to helping those who struggle with mental illness and the staff who look after them."

The coronavirus pandemic has had an obvious impact on how health and social services can be safely delivered, as well as on the mental wellbeing of many people, particularly those supported by community addictions services.

Shane Devlin, the chief executive of the Southern Trust, pointed out that through the courtyard at St Luke's, the addictions service "have shown such creativity and determination to continue to support their service users when they have most needed them".

"Physical exercise can have a really important role in recovery from alcohol or drug abuse for general overall health," he said.

"We also know the benefits of being outdoors and connecting with nature for our mental wellbeing. Through 'sow and grow' the team began sowing the seeds of a positive lifestyle change and have brought so many therapeutic benefits to our service users, building relationships and giving everyone a real sense of purpose to create this space."

The garden has yielded benefits for staff as well as service users. Southern Trust chair Eileen Mullan said staff were "also greatly benefiting from this new outdoor area, using it for sessions with service users, as a place to unwind after a stressful day or simply to enjoy a nice walk to and from work".

"With so many benefits, we look forward to seeing how the future plans for this area develop, including seasonal activities, more conservation projects and physical exercise programmes," she said.