SweetTree’s dementia horticultural therapy project an instant success

An innovative project designed to improve the lives of people with dementia, acquired brain injuries and learning disabilities has been declared an instant success.

SweetTree Home Care Services, in conjunction with Farming For All, has created SweetTree Fields, a farm based in Mill Hill, north London, where people with a brain condition or learning disability can visit with their carers and take part in a range of activities, including creating hanging baskets, and planting and maintaining vegetable patches.

The aim of the project, which launched just days ago, is to reduce social exclusion and help build their confidence, while developing new skills. Each session is tailored to meet the individual needs of the group to ensure they receive the right support and feel comfortable.

Speaking about the initiative, Barry Sweetbaum, managing director of SweetTree Home Care Services, said: “It has been a tremendous effort from the whole team to get to this stage and we’re delighted with the results and the amazing feedback the project is receiving.

“At SweetTree we work closely with families and individuals to help enable them to live independent and fulfilling lives. Horticultural therapy is an emerging field of clinical practice that recognises the benefits that interacting with plants and greenery can bring. We wanted to give both our clients and the wider community the chance to benefit from it, by creating a safe environment for positive, enjoyable experiences.

“Therapy of this kind can be very powerful and it’s fantastic to see the positive impact it is already having. Following this trial project, we hope to extend the scheme and to expand the range of activities on offer.”

Jude Allen, founder of Farming for All, added: “The farm provides a range of guided horticultural activities for attendees, designed to create positive experiences withing a safe, nurturing environment. We know from experience that the potential benefits from horticultural therapy projects such as this are huge and given all that the SweetTree Fields site offers, the opportunities to help change lives are enormous indeed.”

When the pilot project ends on 24 September, the initiative will gradually be extended to include animals and forestry.

For more information about SweetTree Fields, call 020 7624 9944.