dtep

Monday, June 8, 2009

Dorinda Wolfe Murray: My working background is diverse but my love of the countryside started as a child. My grandfather was the naturalist and bird artist Fishhawk; he instilled in my father and myself an ability to observe and appreciate the landscape. This appreciation has become a fascination with the effect our environment has on our physical and mental wellbeing. When I started working with one of the UK’s leading traumatic brain injury case managers I experienced first-hand the difference that constructive, effective care could have on the brain's ability to heal. Whilst working here I formed a gardening company which in 2007 and 2008 was awarded Silver Medals at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. Since then my work, through Independent Gardening Ltd, has grown to encompass the design and build of therapeutic gardens. I also advise charities and clients how to create gardens for those with neural disabilities such as PTSD, depression, autism, cerebral palsy. In 2010 I organized the Combat Stress Therapeutic Show Garden highlighting the effects of PTSD and won a Silver Medal. The result of this work has culminated in the formation, with OT Gillian Taylor of the FirstLight Trust charity.