Abstract
Purpose This paper aims to evaluate the impact of an eight-week gardening and woodwork group programme on individuals’ recovery goals in an adult community mental health setting. Design/methodology/approach Seven individuals participated in the research. The programme was designed and facilitated by two occupational therapists (the authors) and one horticulture and trade skills facilitator. The goal attainment scale was used as a quantitative outcome measure as it allowed individuals to collaboratively set occupation-focused recovery-oriented goals. Due to the small sample size, descriptive statistics were used to analyse this data. Qualitative feedback was gathered through participant feedback forms when the programme ended. Findings Quantitative findings indicate positive results for individuals’ progression towards their recovery goals, with six out of seven participants either achieving or exceeding their goals. One person who attended only one out of eight groups had “worse than expected” goal achievement. Originality/value While there is evidence for the use of gardening and woodwork group therapy in mental health settings, most studies have relied on symptom-focused questionnaires or qualitative results rather than quantifiable recovery-oriented measures (Cipriani et al., 2017; Kamioka et al., 2014; Parkinson et al., 2011). It is hoped that this paper begins to bridge that gap and also outlines how recovery principles, gardening and woodwork can be incorporated into occupational therapy group programmes. This is of particular merit during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to a greater need for group intervention in outdoor settings, where social distancing can be comfortably facilitated.
Highlights
Recovery-oriented policy and legislation came into effect in Ireland in 2006 and has since formed the cornerstone of Irish mental health policy (O’Keeffe et al, 2018)
Recruitment/participants Occupational therapy service users were surveyed for the following criteria: an interest in gardening and/or identified recovery goals which could be addressed by attending a gardening group
As this research was carried out in their usual treatment setting, all service users had opportunities to avail of other occupational therapy group programmes concurrently with this programme
Summary
Recovery-oriented policy and legislation came into effect in Ireland in 2006 and has since formed the cornerstone of Irish mental health policy (O’Keeffe et al, 2018). The similarities between the philosophy of occupational therapy and that of recovery are noted with shared principles of client-centredness, personal autonomy, empowerment and personal meaning (Castaneda et al, 2013). Occupational therapy maintains the view of health as engagement in all activities of life that are meaningful to the individual, rather than an absence of illness or disability (Merryman and Riegel, 2007). Occupational therapy group theory and the importance placed on group cohesion align with recovery principles such as peer support. Occupational therapy group intervention in mental health is arguably the earliest intervention in the history of the profession. Surveys of occupational therapy provision in mental
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