NHS Lanarkshire’s Health Improvement team in Wishaw hosted a summer family fun day – Tea in the Garden – on Tuesday 29 July at University Hospital Wishaw’s King George V Community Garden.
The vibrant and well-attended afternoon welcomed people of all ages for a free, outdoor celebration packed with activities, entertainment, and important community connections.
Families enjoyed a huge variety of hands-on activities, including cycling, arts and crafts, sports, gardening, pony visits, African drumming, archery, circus skills, tic-tac-toe, rounders and more.
The day also provided an opportunity to explore the local services available from the wide range of wellbeing organisations that took part too.
Among the day’s highlights were:
- Ponies Help Children brought along their much-loved ponies Buttons and Fudge, offering calming, interactive moments for visitors.
- The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service delivered water safety advice to families from their inflatable canoe. They also brought fire service uniforms for kids to try on.
- Therapets and their adorable dogs Alfie the whippet and Dela the beagle, who regularly visit hospitals, care homes, and schools across Scotland to bring comfort and connection.
- North Lanarkshire Community Partnership Team promoted its Period Dignity scheme. The team offers a range of period products (including reusable options) with no questions asked at various Lanarkshire locations.
- Phoenix Futures Scotland, who offer support on drug and alcohol recovery, hosted arts and crafts for children.
- The Scottish Ambulance Service brought an ambulance that provided a great opportunity to explore inside.
- Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH), shared information about mental health support, including weekly peer support sessions.
- North Lanarkshire Youth Work and Community Learning & Development shared their local programmes for young people which include creative activities that support mental health and wellbeing. The team provided games, crafts, and sports for attendees to have a try on the day.
Vicki Trim, Health Improvement Lead – University Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire, said: “It was a brilliant day. We loved seeing families so engaged and relaxed – children were smiling from start to finish.
“North Lanarkshire’s health and social care partnership works together to bring a number of events to the community throughout the year to help raise awareness of health and wellbeing opportunities.
“We’d like to share a massive thank you to all the partners and volunteers who made the day such a success. As well as a special thanks to Tesco who kindly donated the refreshments.”
Organiser, Grant Murdoch, Health Improvement Practitioner – Wishaw, NHS Lanarkshire, commented: “We want to make it as easy as possible for people to find out about the fantastic local services available right here in the community.
“Events like this really help build connections and give people a chance to experience the amazing work happening and support offered.
“We were delighted with the turnout and hope that attendees, as well as the organisations who participated, had a great day.”
Families who attended also shared their experiences:
Shadia Muhammad, a local parent, came with her 8-year-old son. She said:
“We got a message through the parents and teachers group and came along. We did the drumming, made a ‘sticky’ at the arts and crafts tent, and played football. My son loved it – it was hard to get him away! It’s great to see something like this. We’ve lived here a long time but this is the first event like this I’ve seen. It’s so important for keeping kids active and off screens during the holidays.”
Another grandparent shared:
“I brought my grandson who’s 2 – he loved the ponies and the ambulance, and just running around outside. Myself and my daughter work in the hospital, so it was nice to have a day like this where he could explore and enjoy being outdoors. We’ve had a lovely day.”
