Awards recognition for HSE’s social therapeutic horticulture programme in Clonmel

Published 4 days ago 11th April 2025 by Reporter

A therapeutic horticultural project used as part of recovery work with service users by the HSE’s South Tipperary Substance Misuse Team in Clonmel has been recognised at the annual Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) Awards ceremony, held recently in Croke Park.

Pictured at the Education and Training Boards Ireland Excellence Awards presentations in Croke Park (left to right) were: Michael Brophy (Tipperary ETB), Catriona Brennan (Tipperary ETB), Annmarie Bergin (Scoil Ruáin, Killenaule), Joanne Treacy (Nenagh College), Cllr Roger Kennedy (Chairperson, Tipperary ETB and President ETB Ireland), Eileen Bergin (Course Co-ordinator, Social Therapeutic Horticulture Programme, HSE), Ruth Farrell (Tipperary ETB), Sinéad O’Mahony Carey (Co-ordinator of South Tipperary Substance Misuse Team, HSE), Clodagh Kelly (Acting Chief Executive, Tipperary ETB), Liam McGrath (Director of Organisation, Support and Development, Tipperary ETB).

The HSE works closely with the Tipperary Education and Training Board (ETB), and in recent years, following the Substance Misuse Team’s relocation to a new centre on the HSE’s Western Road campus in Clonmel, the ETB supported efforts to mark out and develop allotments and poly-tunnels on the attached grounds.

The HSE works closely with the Tipperary Education and Training Board (ETB). In recent years, following the Substance Misuse Team’s relocation to a new centre on the HSE’s Western Road campus in Clonmel, the ETB supported efforts to mark out and develop allotments and poly-tunnels on the attached grounds. The ETB also, including through its tutors onsite, supports art and photography creative writing and mothers writing social therapeutic programmes.

*The therapeutic horticultural at the HSE’s South Tipperary Substance Misuse Team centre in Clonmel.*

The HSE’s South Tipperary Substance Misuse Team in Clonmel incorporate social therapeutic programmes as part of recovery work with service users with the living experience of substance misuse. The Substance Misuse Service provides a free confidential service in the community, working with young people and adults who want support with a substance misuse related concern. The service also provides support to families and carers.

The social and therapeutic horticulture programme has become a key component of substance misuse recovery delivered by the HSE Substance Misuse Team at its centre in Clonmel. This initiative provides service users with a structured, therapeutic activity that supports their recovery journey.

Along the way, the project’s “postcard garden” was featured at the 2023 Bord Bia Bloom event in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, where it received a commendation and a letter of support from the President of Ireland. The programme was also awarded a National AONTAS Star award last year, with a €1,000 prize. The Tipperary ETB invited the HSE’s Substance Misuse Service for South Tipperary to submit the Clonmel-based programme for the awards, resulting in a framed certificate and a €500 voucher prize.

Speaking at the ETBI Awards ceremony in Croke Park, the HSE’s Coordinator of the South Tipperary Substance Misuse Team, Sinéad O’Mahoney Carey, expressed her delight at the recognition:
“We are delighted with this recognition, especially as it underlines a very positive initiative in which the support of our friends in the Tipperary Education and Training Board was instrumental.”

Pictured at the ETB Excellence Awards 2025: ETBI’s Jessica Mullen; Tipperary ETB Chairperson and ETBI President, Cllr Roger Kennedy; Sinead O’Mahony (HSE), Ruth Farrell (Tipperary ETB); with event host RTE’s Ray Kennedy.

“As part of the HSE’s primary care services, our Substance Misuse Teams provide a wide range of supports and are actively engaged in ongoing awareness campaigns and drug education. Colleagues in our South Tipperary services, including outreach facilities in Carrick-on-Suir, Cashel, and Tipperary Town, promote wellness and recovery, working to improve the overall quality of life for individuals and their families struggling with substance misuse.”

“As part of the HSE’s primary care services, our Substance Misuse Teams provide a wide range of therapeutic, medical and social supports. The Substance Misuse Service is actively engaged in ongoing awareness campaigns and drug education. The outreach, counselling and medical team, including outreach facilities in Carrick-on-Suir, Cashel and Tipperary Town, promote wellness and recovery, working to improve the overall quality of life for individuals and their families struggling with substance misuse.”

“This award acknowledges the impact of our partnership with the ETB and highlights the success of the social and therapeutic programmes in Clonmel, which continues to be an engaging and rewarding initiative for participants.”

The ETBI Excellence Awards celebrate outstanding projects and collaborations within education and training across Ireland, recognising initiatives that foster innovation, inclusion, and community engagement. The success of the Clonmel horticultural programme reflects the dedication of both the HSE and the ETB in supporting individuals on their path to recovery through meaningful and therapeutic activities.”

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