Social Therapeutic Horticulture
The Warrah environment provides opportunities for our students and participants to experience the therapeutic benefits of farming and gardening, through hands-on practical activities. Our bushland environment, sensory gardens and biodynamic farm are great resources for the work we do and to the people we support.
What is Social Therapeutic Horticulture?
Social Therapeutic Horticulture is the process of engaging with people using horticultural activities. Our programs facilitated by trained staff aim to develop your each participants individual goals.
Social therapeutic farming and gardening uses the experience of plants, gardens and animals as a vehicle to improve physical and mental health and wellbeing, communication, thinking skills, confidence, and inclusion.
Social Therapeutic Horticulture promotes the outdoors as a safe and secure place to develop the ability to socialise, make friends and learn practical skills that will help to develop independence. For further information on Social Therapeutic Horticulture, visit Thrive.
Through participation in Warrah’s programs, participants are engaged in meaningful activities, which develop a wide variety of transferable skills.
Participants can develop the following skills through Warrah’s farm and gardening programs:
- Focus – special awareness, attention to detail and sequential processing
- Teamwork – awareness, appreciation and collaboration with others
- Work ethic – taking responsibility and owning the process
- Confidence – self-belief and increased wellbeing
- Empowerment – leadership and creativity
- Autonomy – initiative and self-direction.
Warrah’s Community Support Services offer a variety of Social Therapeutic Horticulture programs, including:
Nursery Skills – This program is responsible for all the propagation for Warrah Biodynamic Farm, from seed through to planting. In an average year, the nursery skills program produces over 150,000 organically certified seedlings for the farm and for selling to the public at our onsite Warrah Organic Farm Shop.
Farm Skills – This program involves hands-on engagement in farming activities to directly support the operation of the Warrah Biodynamic Farm. Tasks are varied and include planting, weeding, composting, harvesting, pruning, animal husbandry and general farm maintenance.
If you would like further information on the services and supports Warrah provides please contact us.
