Did you hear? Gardening is the new way to cultivate new friendships. Not just with plants, but with other UTM students and peer leaders. Nobody understands your triumphs and tribulations better than a fellow gardener.
The transition from high school to university is undoubtedly difficult; additionally, the majority of students that go to UTM campus commute to campus, making it difficult to socialize and meet new people. Furthermore, with the shift to online classes over the last two years due to the pandemic has reduced those networking opportunities near to nil.
Our goal with introducing horticulture therapy at UTM is to provide students with more networking opportunities in a safe environment where people can socialize through group activities without the pressure to ‘make the first move’ so to speak.
Take a look at how horticulture therapy can help improve social interactions and community cohesion: