Horticultural Therapist

As a horticultural therapist, you work with people who are struggling - maybe with depression, anxiety, physical injuries, or learning difficulties - and help them through gardening and nature. Plants and gardens are your tools for healing, not decorating.

Your day involves planning garden activities tailored to each person's needs, running sessions where people plant, dig, or grow things, and watching them gain confidence and skills as they care for plants. You might work in a care home, hospital, school, or community garden. You'll assess what each person needs, design their therapy plan, work alongside doctors and nurses, and keep the garden safe and accessible for everyone. You need knowledge about plants and gardening, but mostly you need to care about people and understand how nature can help them feel better.