You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree course, then take further training in social and therapeutic horticulture. 

Subjects include:

• horticulture
• health and wellbeing
• occupational therapy
• mental health or learning disability nursing

Some universities offer horticulture courses that include modules on social and therapeutic horticulture.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

You could take a college course to get some of the skills needed for this job, which may help you when looking for work.

Courses include:

• horticulture
• garden design
• practical horticulture skills

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

You may be able to work towards this role by doing an apprenticeship before taking further training in therapeutic horticulture.

 Apprenticeships include:

• Horticulture Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Horticulture Supervisor Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Community Health and Wellbeing Worker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

Entry requirements

To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

It can be really useful to get experience by volunteering as a support worker on a horticulture project. You'll get a better understanding of the role, and make contacts who could help when looking for work.

Thrive offer volunteering opportunities, if you live within travelling distance of their gardens in Battersea (South London), Birmingham or Reading. They also have details of other horticulture projects around the UK.

You can find other local volunteering schemes from Do IT and NCVO.

You can do training courses with Thrive, a national charity working in horticultural therapy. Thrive offer courses from introductory level to more advanced, like the Diploma in Social and Therapeutic Horticulture.

You'll need:

• knowledge of psychology
• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• excellent verbal communication skills
• sensitivity and understanding
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• the ability to work well with others
• leadership skills
• the ability to work well with your hands
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks as you may work with children and vulnerable adults

As a horticultural therapist, you could:

• develop clients' practical and social skills, confidence and self-esteem
• provide outdoor activities to restore strength and mobility after injury or illness
• support clients to take horticultural qualifications or to move into work
• work closely with other professionals like psychologists and social workers
• manage staff and volunteers
• draw up proposals for projects and raise funds

You could work in a garden, on a country estate or in a therapy clinic.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers and physically demanding.