International guests were recently welcomed by the HSE South Tipperary Substance Misuse Team to the horticultural project it uses in Clonmel as part of recovery work with users of its service.

Counterparts from Croatia, Spain and Slovenia, some of whom provide support to people with addictions through work on the land, were in Ireland as part of an EU Agri Next Exchange Programme, a project in which Tipperary Education and Training Board participate.

Speaking during the visit, Sinéad O’ Mahoney Carey, Co-ordinator, South Tipperary Substance Misuse Team, explained that they “work closely with the Tipperary Education and Training Board (ETB). Indeed, the ETB supported us in marking out and developing the allotments and polytunnels at our grounds on the Western Rd Campus.”

She added that “along the way, in June 2023, we saw our Postcard Garden feature at last year’s Bord Bia Bloom event in Dublin’s Phoenix Park where we received a commendation. We were delighted to tell that story and exchange other information recently with our guests from Croatia, Spain and Slovenia.”   

Sinead concluded by outlining how, as part of the HSE Primary Care Services, the Substance Misuse Teams provide a “wide range of supports and are also engaged in ongoing awareness information campaigns and in drug education. Colleagues such as those working in our South Tipperary services, including in outreach facilities in Carrick on Suir, Cashel and Tipperary Town promote wellness and recovery and work to improve the overall quality of life for individuals and their families struggling with substance misuse. As we outlined for our international guests, the horticultural work being done at our centre in Clonmel is continuing to be  very engaging and rewarding to all participants.

Since taking residence at new premises on the HSE Western Rd Campus in Clonmel in recent years, the Social and Therapeutic Horticulture programme has continued to expand and develop the significant contribution made to the substance misuse recovery programme.