Vocational Rehabilitation Horticulture Project – Patient Information Leaflet

This leaflet provides you with information that you will find useful during your stay. If you are not sure about anything in this leaflet please ask a member of staff.

Vocational Rehabilitation Garden Project is based within the grounds of Hopewood Park, Ryhope, Sunderland. The project uses horticulture in a therapeutic way to support recovery and maintain mental well-being and provides opportunities for a balanced lifestyle.

The service is for men and women over the age of 18 years who are receiving care from the Trust. It offers a meaningful activity as part of rehabilitation needs.

To help you get better by looking at your recovery, lifestyle and staying well. The staff will help you to agree what you are working towards.

When you arrive you will be welcomed by a member of the care team. They will explain what will happen during your time at the project and also show you around. You will have an opportunity to meet other service users who attend the scheme, and talk to volunteers who support the project.

The length of stay depends upon your personal needs and engagement within the project, usually up to a maximum of 12 weeks. At six weeks a review, and an opportunity to discuss progress, will take place to ensure that the service is beneficial to your needs. The care team will discuss this with you and organise the amount of sessions per week you will be offered to attend.

The activities will depend on what support you need for your recovery. Activities may include both social and recreational and will focus on developing new skills to manage your mental health. This may include education, training, woodwork and horticultural work experience.

The education and employment link worker can help you identify future goals, potential ‘community follow on’ horticulture projects and work related opportunities that could develop following completion of the course.

Staff can arrange an interpreter if you need one.

Contact Nexus Traveline: Tel: 0871 200 22 33
Website: www.traveline.info/

• Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) South of Tyne
0800 328 4397
• Patient and Carer Engagement Team
01670 501 816

If you want to make a comment, suggestion, compliment or complaint you can:
• talk to the people directly involved in your care
• ask a member of staff for a feedback form, or complete a form on the Trust website www.cntw.nhs.uk (click on the ‘Contact Us’ tab)
• telephone the Complaints Department 0191 245 6672
• email [email protected] Please note that information sent to the Trust via email is sent at your own risk
• We are always looking at ways to improve services. Your feedback allows us to monitor the quality of our services and act upon issues that you bring to our attention.
You can provide feedback in the following ways:
– the quickest way for you to do this is to complete our short online survey at www.cntw.nhs.uk/poy
– complete a Points of You survey, available from staff.

Vocational Rehabilitation Garden (Horticulture) Project
Garden Lodge
Hopewood Park
Ryhope
Sunderland
SR2 0NB
Tel: 0191 566 7065

Further information about the content, reference sources or production of this leaflet can be obtained from the Patient Information Centre. If you would like to tell us what you think about this leaflet please get in touch.

This information can be made available in a range of formats on request (eg Braille, audio, larger print, easy read, BSL or other languages). Please contact the Patient Information Centre Tel: 0191 246 7288

Published by the Patient Information Centre
2022 Copyright, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Ref, PIC/472/0221 February 2019 V7
www.cntw.nhs.uk Tel: 0191 246 7288
Review date 2025