Social and Therapeutic Horticulture

Facilitator Training Programme QQI Level 6

Programme Overview:

The Social and Therapeutic Horticulture Facilitator Training Programme course provides learners with the skills, understanding and practical experience of working with plants and gardens to assist in achieving positive cognitive and behavioural changes in young people, teenagers and adults. 

At the end of the Social and Therapeutic Horticulture Facilitator Training Programme, learners will be able to offer Social and Therapeutic Horticulture programmes and sessions to young children, teenagers and adults from all different backgrounds.

The course will be delivered over 6 (3 full day) modules by a variety of tutors and speakers with specialist skills and experience over 18 days (every 2nd months) at Festina Lente, Co. Wicklow.

There will also be self-directed learning, assignments to be completed between modules along with continuous assessment.

Learner Profile 

This course will be of relevance to those who have experiences of engaging with nature, wellbeing, social and/or health care practices, and who are interested in developing skills as Social and Therapeutic practitioners. Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) sessions can be offered to clients with specialized learning needs, and can support mobilisation and revitalization in a wide range of sectors, communities and organizations. 

The course will be of particular interest to those who currently work formally in horticulture or at grassroots, or who work with people with diverse social and emotional learning needs, and who demonstrate an aptitude for integrating horticulture and care practices, for training and development purposes. 

 

Objectives of this programme:

At the end of the Social and Therapeutic Horticulture Facilitator Training Programme, learners will be able to:

  • Discuss and evaluate the different approaches and models that have been developed to involve horticulture as an intervention
  • Describe the theoretical frameworks which help to illustrate how and why horticulture can assist in the achievement of cognitive and behavioural change and the development of social and emotional learning
  • Understand how Social and Therapeutic Horticulture can help to discover one’s own learning styles and help people to work with them
  • Understand the significance of Social and Emotional learning
  • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of coaching and facilitation and the ethical requirements inherent in both
  • Demonstrate the ability to plan, deliver and evaluate Social and Therapeutic Horticulture sessions
  • Demonstrate how to market Social and Therapeutic Horticulture and Coaching as a Business
  • Demonstrate how to apply for grants in order to promote Social and Therapeutic Horticulture and Coaching sessions and programmes

Key features of the Social and Therapeutic Horticulture Facilitator Training Programme:

  • Practical hands on training in horticulture
  • Individualised tutor support
  • Tutors with specialist skills and experience
  • Experience of learning in the environment of Festina Lente which reflects best practice in equine facilitated programmes and horticultural techniques
  • Access to current research on the benefits of Social and Therapeutic Horticulture as it relates to both the benefits to people and clinical outcomes.

Course information

Ideally, course participants should:

  • Be over 25 years of age
  • Hold a third level qualification in a social and/or health care field or related area
  • Have a proven background in the advancement of one’s own professional development
  • Application Process may include an informal interview
  • Student must have basic IT word processing and email skills e.g. google document or Microsoft word to write and submit assignments

The cost of the Training Programme is €2030. Should your application be successful you will be sent a link to pay a non-refundable deposit of €250 to secure your place. The balance of the course fee is payable in full, no later than 6 weeks prior to course commencement. Please be aware that once the course has commenced, withdrawing from it will not entitle you to a any refund.

Festina Lente CLG  is a registered non-profit charity and therefore cannot offer credit, so please do not ask.

The course will be delivered over 6 (3 full day) modules by a variety of tutors and speakers with specialist skills and experience over 18 days (every 2nd Month) at Festina Lente, Co. Wicklow.

There will also be self-directed learning, assignments to be completed between modules along with continuous assessment.

Should you require further information regarding the total expected course hours, inclusive of self-directed learning and assignment /project submissions, please contact the Course Administrator.

Course Accreditation:

This is a QQI Special Purpose Award Level 6 Certificate in Life and Workplace Coaching (6S3153). Students will also be certified by Festina Lente as a Social & Therapeutic Horticultural Facilitator

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) 

  • If you’ve already completed and hold a certificate for any of the above QQI components, you may qualify for exemptions from some assignments.
  • To apply for these exemptions: On successful application please email the course administrator a copy of your certificate to :  trainingadmin@festinalente.ie
  • Please note  Should your receive an exemption from some assignments, you are still required to attend all course sessions. Attendance is mandatory due to the specialised nature of the course.

Training Support Grant

If you have a skills gap that could prevent you from applying for a job, the Training Support Grant (TSG) funds quick access to short-term training if you are on a jobseekers payment.  Please foll0w this link for details

https://www.gov.ie/en/service/11dbee-training-support-grant/#

Please note that learners must attend at least 17 days of the 18 days across the modules. In the event that more than one day is missed from any of the modules, learners will be required to repeat the day/s the following year which may delay official graduation from the programme.