Outdoors
We are very lucky that one of our parents, Lisa Woodworth is a qualified therapeutic horticulturist. Over the past few years, she has worked hard to develop our outdoor area for all our childen. Lisa recognises how gardening can help everyone, regardless of age or disability.
Social and therapeutic horticulture uses the outdoors as a safe and secure place to develop children's ability to mix socially, make friends and learn practical skills that will help them to be more independent.
The benefits of a sustained and active interest in gardening include:
- Better physical health through exercise and learning how to use or strengthen muscles to improve mobility
- Improved mental health through a sense of purpose and achievement
- The opportunity to connect with others – reducing feelings of isolation or exclusion
- Acquiring new skills to improve the chances of finding employment
- Just feeling better for being outside, in touch with nature and in the 'great outdoors'