HEALING GARDENER: Training program on therapeutic gardening for adults with disabilities.

We applied for the Healing Gardener project to address the growing disconnect between society and nature, exacerbated by factors like urbanization and technology. Recognizing the importance of nature for psychological and physical well-being, we sought to reintegrate it into people's lives, particularly for those facing challenges like disabilities. The project aimed to combat the nature-deficit disorder prevalent in modern society, offering therapeutic gardening as a solution. By creating green spaces and promoting interaction with nature, we aimed to mitigate issues like stress, anxiety, and lack of concentration. The project empowered individuals with disabilities to provide green care to others, fostering a sense of purpose and fulfillment. People with disabilities often receive prolonged treatment and care. With Healing Gardener, we reversed the roles, enabling them to take charge of providing care for others and society. Through this initiative, we successfully addressed identified needs, promoting mental health, physical well-being, and social inclusion, aligning with the project's objectives.

We aimed to enhance learning opportunities for people with disabilities, including those with mental health challenges, mild to moderate developmental intellectual disabilities, seniors with cognitive impairment, and autism spectrum disorder. The Healing Gardener program offered therapeutic gardening training to teach participants how to create healing gardens and benefit from nature's advantages. These gardens were established through hands-on training in rehabilitation centers or public spaces, enriching the community. In addition to providing gardening training, the project also established therapeutic spaces for clients of partner organizations. Participants learned how to establish a therapeutic garden step by step and how to care for it throughout the year, which contributed to improved well-being and increased their job prospects. They developed environmental awareness, social skills, technical abilities, and the gardens served (and will keep doing so) as sensory training, relaxation, and skill development hubs. Students also became trained therapeutic garden tour guides, sharing their expertise with visitors and users of our gardens.

 Developing an innovative curriculum for therapeutic gardening tailored specifically for individuals with disabilities (PWD).  Developing a manual for participants to become Healing Garden tour guides.  Creating a portfolio of Biophilic designs that serves as inspiration to our Healing Gardeners in their day to day work and promotes biophilic design among wider public.  Filming and producing virtual tours of our Healing Gardens integrated into a digital platform.  Establishing the European network of Healing Gardeners which will play a crucial role in the sustainability of our project and promoting future green and inclusive initiatives.  Building the Healing Gardener eLearning platform, an accessible educational hub designed to host all training materials produced in the project.  Implementing a 15-month pilot course during which we trained 42 individuals with disabilities to become proficient healing gardeners. Our training method emphasizes learning through practical experience and community service. It is intended at strengthening the essential skills of the participants and enhancing their employment prospects within the green industry.  Providing specialized training to ten professionals from three European Union countries on therapeutic gardening techniques for individuals with disabilities.  Establishing four therapeutic gardens across Europe designed to serve as inclusive spaces for healing and learning.  Raising awareness about environmental issues within the target demographic and advocating for greater ecological responsibility through our "Green Your Mind" campaign, which involved creation of the project website, corporate image and promotional materials, and active dissemination actions on and offline throughout the project duration.

PROVIDING TRAINING AND OPPORTUNITIES TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES - We have designed an innovative therapeutic gardening curriculum for people with disabilities (PWD). - We have developed a toolkit including a manual to become a Healing Garden tour guide, a portfolio of Biophilic designs, virtual tours to the gardens embedded in the platform, and the European network of Healing Gardeners. - We have developed the Healing Gardener eLearning platform (open educational resource) to host all created teaching materials. - We have trained 42 people with disabilities to become healing gardeners during a 15 month long pilot course using a methodology based on learning by doing and service-learning. - We have developed key competences of participants in the training course and enhanced their employment opportunities in the emerging green sector. - We have empowered participants by involving them as green caregivers and increasing their autonomy through improved job opportunities. - We have improved the well-being of trainees by fostering a sense of purpose and achievement and greening their workplaces, homes, hospitals, schools, and other public and private spaces. IMPROVED QUALIFICATION FOR PROFESSIONALS IN THE DISABILITY SECTOR - We have trained 10 professionals (therapists, educators, social workers, gardening trainers, etc.) from 4 EU countries on therapeutic gardening for people with disabilities. CREATING HEALING SPACES We have created four therapeutic gardens across Europe, designed as inclusive healing and learning spaces. PROMOTING ECO-RESPONSIBILITY - We have raised awareness about environmental challenges in the target group with a practical and understandable approach. - We have increased awareness about the health benefits of natural environments and promoted greater eco-responsibility in society through the "Green Your Mind" dissemination campaign. BUILDING COMMUNITY - We have highlighted the active and valuable citizenship of people with disabilities to the general society.