Date – 9 September 2024
Time – 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Our September STH Webinar will explore the use of therapeutic horticulture techniques within Palliative Care; our speakers are Lorraine West and Julie Cox. We will have time to ask them questions and discuss any key topics that arise within the webinar after their talks.
LORRAINE WEST
Lorraine West is a Specialist Palliative Care Occupational Therapist, at St. Luke’s Sheffield’s Hospice, and has been a member of the Social and Therapeutic Horticulture for Palliative Care group (STH4PC) for several years. She became Chair of the group in 2022.
She developed her horticulture knowledge through Royal Horticultural Society ( RHS) courses completed in 2019, and achieved the Thrive Award in Social and Therapeutic Horticulture Development in 2020.
Lorraine leads STH sessions ” Therapy Through Nature” with small groups as part of the hospice clinics and also provides individual sessions for patient’s who are spending time in the inpatient centre. She promotes therapy sessions in the hospice garden to give opportunities to connect with nature, and encourages patient and staff involvement in projects such as the Big Butterfly Count, and the RSPB garden bird watch. She is also involved in sustainability and nature prescribing projects at St.Luke’s Hospice.
JULIE COX
Julie Cox is an Occupational Therapist with over thirty years of experience. During a student placement, she encountered a Horticultural Therapist, which deeply resonated with her love for plants and the countryside. This encounter inspired her to integrate Social and Therapeutic Horticulture into her work, initially in a Stroke Unit and more recently as a Specialist Palliative Care Occupational Therapist at Pilgrims Hospices in Margate (2015–2024).
Julie is passionately committed to providing patients who have a life-limiting illness the opportunity to engage in meaningful, nature-based activities. She recognises the profound therapeutic benefits of connecting with the natural world, even in the final days of life.
Since 2019, Julie has been an active member of Social and Therapeutic Horticulture for Palliative Care, serving as the network’s secretary since 2022. In 2024, she furthered her expertise by completing the RHS Level 2 Certificate in Practical Horticulture at East Kent College, Canterbury.
All with an interest in social and therapeutic horticulture are welcome to attend.
Registration is required. Free to Members, Non Members £5.