Grant for social and therapeutic horticulture pilot to Belfast residents now open

The Public Health Agency is inviting applications from organisations for a grant of up to £185,000 for a two year period for the coordination and delivery of a Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) Pilot Programme and to review and develop the programme throughout the life of the Pilot.

Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) is a form of Ecotherapy or Green Care described as: “The process of using gardening, plants and horticulture to help individuals develop”. The aim of the service is to test a model which can improve the emotional health and wellbeing of people living in the Belfast area, with the initial target group being at least 50% male with identified mental health needs at tier 1 and tier 2. Once the model is developed the service could be replicated more broadly in future both in terms of participant groups and geographical area.

Applications are invited from those organisations who:

• Can demonstrate that the STH sessions will provided by a trained and experienced Horticultural Therapist (Professional Development Diploma in Social and Therapeutic Horticulture); 
• That the horticultural activities will be tailored to meet the needs of the particular individual/group taking part;
• Can demonstrate that they have a good knowledge of existing support services for a wide range of issues which participants may present with.

Further information, application forms and guidance notes, which advise those wishing to apply for funding of the relevant criteria and conditions, are available from Emma Davison/Marianne Ireland, Public Health Agency, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement (Belfast) Alexander House, 4th Floor, 17a Ormeau Avenue, Belfast, BT2 8HD. Email: Emma.Davison@hscni.net or Marianne.Ireland@hscni.net  Tel: 028 9031 1611.

Closing Date for applications is 4pm on Friday 30 May 2014.