Hello, I’m marie hirst

I hold a BSc in Horticulture from the Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture in the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin. I am a Member of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture (MCIH). I have also completed the Royal Horticultural Society Advanced Certificate in Horticulture. During my 16 year career in retail horticulture, I worked in and managed two busy garden centres.

I studied Social and Therapeutic Horticulture as part of my degree with continual professional development through Thrive and Trellis in the U.K. I am also a close follower of the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA). I set up my own practice called Unwind with Plants in 2021.

I am a tutor with Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board and Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board. I am also on the tutor panel of County Wicklow Partnership.

Prior to my career in horticulture, I had a successful 20-year career in financial services.

Horticulture is an effective tool used by many different professionals to focus on enhancing health and well-being through actively caring for plants (AHTA definition). Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) as we know it today, grew out of the community garden movement during the 1960s in New York.

Social Benefits

  • STH gives an opportunity for social inclusion, alleviating loneliness and isolation.

  • Gardening as part of a group creates a happy atmosphere, gives a feeling of belonging and a sense of pride.

Therapeutic Benefits

STH can be used as a person-centred therapy.

  • The natural surroundings of being in a garden help to improve mood, health, and well-being.

  • Active gardening provides physical activity, the development of new skills and the opportunity for creativity.

  • The tranquility, peace and calm of nature promotes attention restoration and reduces stress.

  • The sense of achievement from gardening builds self-esteem and confidence.

WHAT IS SOCIAL AND THERAPEUTIC HORTICULTURE?

Passiflora Caerulea (Passion Flower)

Rosa ‘Darcey Bussell’

UNWIND WITH PLANTS

Unwind with Plants is a social and therapeutic horticulture practice based in the beautiful Wicklow countryside. Unwind with Plants offers a safe, calm and non-judgmental space with plenty of scope for therapeutic gardening activities.

The goal of Unwind with Plants is to foster a strong ‘people-plant’ connection with the participant. It is this connection that is so beneficial. Participants may come from a situation of not being in control in their lives for various reasons. Not having a sense of purpose, not nurturing others, or giving little importance to their own self-care. The process of nurturing and caring for plants and our intervention in the life of the plant is very rewarding. Understanding the importance of nutrition and good-health for plants can be used as an analogy for our own self care.

These benefits are not only felt in the Unwind with Plants Garden, I also bring my programmes of table-top and outdoor activities to community groups and groups in care settings such as Residential Homes. I can work with any group who are looking to improve their health and well-being.

The Unwind with Plants garden is on private land, and is only accessible during workshops.