Here at Trellis, we believe in harnessing the power of gardening to benefit physical and mental health and well-being. By supporting practitioners, we help the people they work with to:
- Recover their mental well-being
- Develop skills and confidence
- Make social connections and overcome isolation
- Recover from stroke or heart attack
- Rehabilitate after neurological or head injury
- Maintain good cognitive skills and quality of life when living with dementia
- Recover from addiction
- Regain fitness after accident or illness
- Reduce pain, anxiety and depression symptoms
We know that therapeutic horticulture projects are held back by:
- Isolation
- Lack of resources
- Poor recognition
So, we design our Support Services to help overcome these barriers. We provide training courses, good practice workshops and networking events, an information service, and offer on-site assistance. Whether you need guidance or inspiration, we are here for you. We actively contribute to research and development in therapeutic horticulture, and work hard to ensure our network's voice is heard by policy makers.
Representing the Sector
Trellis works hard to represent and promote the benefits of therapeutic horticulture and the impact of the work of practitioners and groups in our network. We attend national events and conferences, cross party groups and seminars, help organise study tours and comment on policy consultations. Where possible, we also present at events in other countries and regions, in person or online.
We inaugurated World Therapeutic Horticulture Day #WTHD in May 2023 because without awareness, we cannot have recognition of therapeutic horticulture. You are warmly invited to take part in the next World Day, which is a truly global celebration of therapeutic horticulture practice around the world. Visit our dedicated page where we have lots of resources to help you make a splash next May. You can add your voice to the effort to raise the profile of therapeutic gardening in Scotland and around the world. Together we can help increase recognition of and support for this valuable work.
Our Impact
As a small organisation with only 3.7 Full Time Equivalent staff, we do mighty things with your donations. In the last 12 months we have made a real difference to the lives of thousands of disabled and disadvantaged people, enabling them to garden with the help of practitioners trained and supported by Trellis.
Information Service
The Trellis information service answers queries on a whole range of subjects related to therapeutic horticulture - from garden project management to funding to adaptive gardening techniques. We love to help and look forward to hearing from you.
Learning
Trellis offers a library of learning opportunities, in-person and online.
From foundation to advanced levels - begin your learning today and build your skills as you go. Extend your activity repertoire and keep your Continual Professional Learning (CPL) up to date through these practical training opportunities
Advertise or find a job
Our jobs page is the go-to place for job adverts in therapeutic horticulture, whether you’re an employer with a vacancy to advertise or you are searching for your next career move in therapeutic horticulture, this is a good place to start.
Gardening Group Map and Directory
Use the Trellis map and directory of therapeutic gardening projects to find out more about projects near you, and even link up with them to learn more.
On-site Support
Our staff and fieldworker team support therapeutic horticulture groups and start-up projects across the country to make the most of their garden space so it offers maximum benefits to participants, and to shortcut the process of starting a new project.
Our Vision
Our Vision is for excellent therapeutic horticulture and its benefits to be available to all.
Our Mission is to help people who need it most to improve their health and wellbeing through gardening, plants and nature connection.
Case Studies
From prisons to hospitals and care homes, the Trellis network of therapeutic gardening projects has a huge impact on the lives of people with defined support or health needs.