International guests were welcomed recently by HSE’s South Tipperary Substance Misuse Team to the horticultural project it utilises 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 and in organic farming were in Ireland as part of an EU Agri Next exchange programme that the Tipperary Education and Training Board is participating in.
In recent years, since taking residence at new premises on the HSE’s Western Rd. campus in Clonmel, the social and therapeutic horticulture programme attaching to it is a significant part of substance misuse recovery delivered there.
Speaking during the visit, Co-ordinator of South Tipperary Substance Misuse Team Sinéad O’ Mahoney Carey said:
“We work closely with the Tipperary Education and Training Board (ETB). Indeed, the ETB supported us in marking out and developing the allotments and poly-tunnels at our grounds on the Western Rd. campus. Along the way, in June 2023, it saw our “postcard garden” feature at last year’s Bord Bia Bloom event in Dublin’s Phoenix Park and receive a commendation. We were delighted to tell that story and exchange other information recently with our guests from Croatia, Spain and Slovenia.”
“As part of the HSE’s primary care services, our 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 proves very engaging and rewarding to its participants.”
Last updated on: 19 / 12 / 2024
