"It gives me a structure and routine"

Dear Mark, Simone, Sorry I mean Simon and Nigel, I mean Terry, I’m still getting your names wrong.

I am writing to you to tell you I really did enjoy my Wednesday mornings as I’ve got you guys for horticulture. I really like it a lot, I get a lot out of it. I really look forward to coming. It is consistent and I can rely on the session going ahead. Horticulture gets me up early. I get to be able to get off the ward. It gives me a structure and routine to my day. I get lots of fresh air and I’m kept busy. I like looking after the chicken, cockerels and many ducks. I clean out their water and give them clean and fresh water. The ducks really appreciate it, and they even wash their feather, after feeding they rest their head on the water container. I really enjoy watching them peck at the food and chase each other around. It is a strict pecking order. I have done lots of other things like digging, shovelling and hoeing. I have planted + potting I like watering using the watering hose. I love the results when the plants grow.

The tomatoes are delicious in the orchard, there is apples and pears and plums. They are all really tasting. I bring loads back and share them with the staff and patients. They all get eaten.

We get a cup of tea before and after the session, in the summer we get jugs of juice, and it brings everyone together. I love the lively banter; we have a good laugh. I’ve made relationships, friendships her, I have got to know the patients and staff. The same group of patients attend horticulture, so they helped me socially. Some patients have left since I’ve joined horticulture. I too am leaving in a couple of weeks. I am going to really miss horticulture. It is a very special activity. You have given me skills and increased my confidence. I go at my own pace, and I have lots of breaks. It is hard work sometimes, but I like results. The garden looks stunning this year with the tall daisy like flowers. The globe water feature is really soothing. The outdoor radio is a cool idea. There is lots of places to sit and just digest the surrounding. I love sitting back and just enjoying the plants and flowers. I’ve enjoyed painting the new café, mark you did a good job scraping the excess paint back into the paint pot. I like the fishes in the tropical fish tank. Everyone enjoys watching them.

It is very relaxing. The only pet I don’t like is the noisy cockateel which does my head in with its constant squawking. That was a bad idea. However, I do like the budgies and canaries. At one point we had hamsters. I really like the pets. I adore Margot the rabbit. She is like a chunky baby. I love stroking her, I give her a little massage which she loves, she is very soft and gentle. She doesn’t bite, so you don’t feel scared to hold her. Stroking pets has a big impact on our physical health. It can release endorphins and serotonin and oxytocin. So very good for our mental health. There is lots of guinea pigs, I like stroking hunney. She responds really well to you. I have helped to give them fresh water + food. I watched little duck eggs hatch and are really tiny and featherless, I watched them grow up. There is quite a lot of ducks now, my favourite duck is Alan. He followed Terry around like he thought Terry was his Dad, very funny.

Keeping busy is so important to good mental health as well as physical health as horticulture you are moving more and that can also combat obesity. Horticulture has really helped me with my social skills, I have quite a bad social anxiety but at horticulture I have really bloomed socially. I feel so safe and secure, I am engaged, and I attend all sessions. I get lots of attention, we talk about lots of different things. You are all really good make role models. Really guys, you are amazing, you have helped me so much. I look at where I am now, yes, I’m leaving that the result of all your hard work. I wouldn’t be moving on without you. You give me so much motivation. You make me really laugh out loud. You all make me smile, sometimes I am tired, but you help me to push through it. I always feel better by the end of the session. I’ve got to know you all very well. I am really excited about moving on, scared too. I am going to join the garden club when I get there, there is no animals though, may be there is a petting farm locally I could visit. I can now make that transition with your help; I feel more confidence now. Ill write to you with mini update and share my progress. I am going to do really well. I feel like I have a fantastic life ahead of me with lots of choices lots of opportunities that I am going to grab hold of them.

All the very best from

Ruby ward patient