Horticultural therapist : Employers and vacancy sources

Horticultural therapy continues to develop in the UK, with the national charity, Thrive , at the forefront of its development. The charity is the largest employer of horticultural therapists, employing staff to work in its two garden projects in Reading, Berkshire and Battersea Park, London. Thrive also supports around 900 garden projects around the UK. Links with charities involved in this field include Bridewell Organic Gardens , Cultivations , Growability , Growing Matters Garden Centre and Root & Branch .

Potentially, you may find work in:

• hospitals;
• day, adult and social education centres;
• specialist colleges for those who are physically disabled or hard of hearing;
• residential homes and centres run by social services;
• health authorities;
• charities;
• prisons;
• schools;
• parks;
• demonstration or community gardens and city farms;
• specialist nurseries.

Some further education colleges have very large special needs departments with many students undertaking horticulture qualifications.

Though not widespread, some horticultural therapists become self-employed freelance therapists. Currently, however, opportunities for working in this way are likely to be extremely limited.

There may be some opportunities for employment overseas. In the USA, horticultural therapy is well established in most states. In other countries, especially Australia and Canada, this career is developing, and there may be some opportunities in Japan. Thrive can provide useful addresses and links.

Sources of vacancies

• Search graduate jobs on this site.
• Horticultural Jobs
• Horticulture Week
• Grow
• Opportunities: The Public Sector Recruitment Weekly
• Community Care
• Guardian Jobs  
• Local newspapers.

Recruitment agencies rarely handle vacancies. Be aware that relevant job advertisements often use a variety of other titles, such as 'technical instructor' or 'project worker' when referring to horticultural therapy posts.

Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.