Join this therapeutic horticulture program offered in a supportive, positive and safe community garden for people living with a disability, mental health or chronic health issues or limited mobility.
This program is designed and facilitated by a Therapeutic Horticulturist supporting participants to achieve their goals and promote their social, physical and mental wellbeing.
The program aims to cultivate:
❖ inclusivity, fostering strengths, abilities and interests
❖ meaningful, purposeful and engaging activity
❖ improved confidence and personal development
❖ social interactions, connections and build friendships
❖ capacity building, knowledge and skills development
❖ gentle physical activity, balance, flexibility and fine motor skills
❖ creativity and fun
❖ positive mood, reduced stress and anxiety
❖ a deeper connection with the garden and the creatures it supports.
Flourish includes a combination of outdoor garden and table-top activities, such as proapagting seedlings, ensuring every gardener (participant) has the opportunity to flourish, and enjoy the wellbeing benefits of gardening. Regenerative and ecological gardening principles underpin the gardening practices and activities in the Flourish program.
Suitable for young adults 16+ and adults
What to expect:
Small friendly group of up to 8 participants
Relaxed and informal structure
What to bring
Wear comfortable clothes for gardening
Gardening gloves if you have them
Lunch - 1/2 hr lunch break is included
Water bottle, sunscreen, hat
About the site
The garden has recently been updated with improved accessibility. A pre-orientation is encouraged prior to starting to assess suitability. There is an indoor kitchen area which will be used for table-top activities, lunch and as a rest area. Please reach out to our team to discuss.
Carers
Carers are welcome to attend and to support the person they care for with the activity. If supervision is not required, carers are welcome to stay in the comfortable kitchen or sunroom area of the neighbourhood house and have a cuppa.
NDIS participants are welcome Concession Card Holder discount available.
Please register your interest and someone will be in touch to discuss your needs prior to enrolment.*
*Living & Learning Nillumbik will be collecting the personal and health information of the participant for the purposes of assessing suitability for participation in our Therapeutic Gardening Program and to administer the Program to better accommodate the specific needs of the participant. The information of the participant will be disclosed to the program’s Activity Coordinator for the purpose of administering the program to meet the needs of the participants. In any other case, the participants’ information will not be disclosed to any other third-party without your consent, unless required or authorised by law. If you do not provide some or all of the requested information we cannot guarantee that we can support the individual needs of the participant or carer. If you have any privacy queries or wish to access your information, please contact Council’s Privacy Officer at (03) 9433 3271 or email privacy@nillumbik.vic.gov.au. Further information about how Council handles personal information can be found at Privacy statement - Nillumbik Shire Council
About the Facilitator
Melissa is a Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner, Educator, and Support Worker, dedicated to enhancing social, physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, using plants and garden landscapes.
Melissa designs and facilitates person-centred therapeutic gardening programs for people living with a disability, cognitive impairment and older adults, offered in-home, aged care, and supportive community settings.
At home, Melissa tends her large edible, native and cottage gardens, keeps chickens, ducks and bees, and grows nutrient-dense food to promote her health and wellbeing.
Melissa is a proud full member of Therapeutic Horticulture Australia www.tha.org.au
For more information contact our Living & Learning Nillumbik customer support team on 9433 3744 or info.livinglearning@nillumbik.vic.gov.au or visit livinglearningnillumbik.vic.gov.au