Mother, Nature and Me – Therapeutic Gardening for at-risk mothers and babies

2022 Conference Recording | Free for Members.

Summary:

Mother, Nature and Me offers mothers and their babies the opportunity to come together in an inclusive, safe and culturally connected greenspace in the company of support services and specialists to promote a strengths based, holistic, person-centred, collaborative approach to wellbeing for participants. The therapeutic horticulture program is run weekly out of the Taree Community Gardens. Much of the program is iteratively co-designed with participants. This flexibility allows the program to remain adaptable and focused on meeting both the individual and collective needs of the attending mothers and babies. All activities however have a deliberate connection to nature and align to evidence and guidelines established within Brighter Beginnings: First 2000 Days by ensuring they:- promote secure relationships and encourage sensitive and attentive parenting; – provide access to support services or referrals where needed; and – foster a stimulating learning environment through positive language and play opportunities. Whilst the evaluation of the program has not been finalised, emerging findings demonstrate the importance of safe and culturally appropriate greenspaces for social connection and belonging where program participants can safely convene, connect, converse, collaborate, celebrate, and care for each other. Services are also reporting improvements in participants’ willingness to seek help and participate in parenting programs and interventions.