There is more than one career path in therapeutic gardening
Looking to acquire TG skills and CPD in Therapeutic Gardening?
Many people already work in health, care, education or community roles with their own particular qualifications and professional structures. For people in this situation, therapeutic gardening training and experience can be acquired through a combination of formal and informal learning: 'on the job', CPD, online and in-person sessions, networking events, seminars and volunteering sessions at therapeutic gardening projects.
Trellis offers these opportunities through formal training and informal knowledge and skills sharing events as well as volunteering with projects in the Trellis network.
In Development Trellis are currently developing an accredited practitioner course in therapeutic gardening, a Professional Development Award (PDA) at SCQF level 7, to be delivered by colleges. Interested? Please register your interest here.
There are also range of therapeutic gardening courses available via Thrive
As well as an online course run by the University of North Carolina, see https://ncbg.unc.edu/engagement/therapeutic-horticulture/
For an overview of training provision in Therapeutic Horticulture across the world, see this Blog feature by Isabelle Boucq, Fédération Française Jardins Nature et Santé.
Looking for Horticulture Skills Training?
Formal qualifications in horticulture, may also benefit your career in therapeutic gardening.
National colleges in Scotland such as SRUC, RBGE provide horticulture courses, whilst local college provision of courses in horticulture alters frequently depending on demand.
Find other local colleges in Scotland on the College Development Network drop down list at the top of their homepage.
Search for colleges providing horticulture courses on the Grow Careers web pages and more information on support for careers in horticulture at the Institute of Horticulture .The Institue of Horticulture is also now presenting a series of webinars ( in repsponse to COVID19) on horticulture and related subjects, see https://www.horticulture.org.uk/
Note these colleges teach horticulture and staff have an understanding/particular interest in therapeutic gardening:
Dundee and Angus College
Elmwood College, Fife
Perth College UHI
South Lanarkshire College
Click here to read an example of one persons career path.
Further careers path examples from Thrive and Grow Careers
Funding
The Scotland’s Gardens Cattanach Fund is returning for 2024. Created to support individuals working or training in horticulture in Scotland, the fund should be used for personal and professional development training relating to horticulture. The maximum award level is £1,500 (average award anticipated £750). The fund is open from 14 February 2024 and funds will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Further details can be found on our website here: https://scotlandsgardens.org/bursaries/ and on the attached document.
With thanks to the Professional Gardeners Trust (PGT) for administering the fund on behalf of Scotland's Gardens Scheme.