Green Health Week takes place Saturday 13 – Friday 19 May and NHS Lanarkshire is planting the seed to encourage others to give nature a go.
Alongside Green Health Week, NHS Lanarkshire’s Green Health Partnership (LGHP) received £250 from Action Earth to enhance the local environment and contribute to a nature-rich future, which was used to develop the new King George V garden.
The community garden, which is currently being developed by LGHP, is based at University Hospital Wishaw. The garden, once completed, will be available for NHS Lanarkshire patients, staff and residents to access modern greenspace to support their mental and physical health.
Marie McKeown, green health partnership manager, NHS Lanarkshire, said: “Evidence shows that physical activity outdoors and contact with nature is good for body and mind, and this is backed up by powerful personal stories including how people valued local green places during Covid restrictions.
“The LGHP work within NHS Lanarkshire, which is funded and supported via NHS endowments and NHS Charities Together, has various opportunities for inpatients, outpatients and staff to enjoy new and improved NHS grounds.
“The King George V garden project allows local partners and residents to engage, as well as encouraging participation within greenspace to develop skills and experience the health and wellbeing benefits that come with nature.”
LGHP is partnering with Clydesdale Community Initiatives Scotland (CCI) to develop the garden, where referred volunteers are supported with training and equipment. They have the opportunity to:
- Discover new skills and interests;
- Improve their health and wellbeing;
- Make a positive contribution to the community;
- Meet new people and have fun.
The £250 grant received was part of Volunteering Matters’ Action Earth campaign to help local communities to support and encourage volunteer activity through environmental projects for all, and allowed the team to purchase plants, seeds and hand tools for the garden.
Ruth McElhinney, community development manager at CCI, added: “Green Health Volunteering really is a highly effective, preventative approach to improved health outcomes.
“Our volunteers have reported improved physical and mental wellbeing, having better sleep, more energy and feeling they have made a worthy contribution to their community. They also have an increased awareness of the natural environment.”
Fiona Galbraith, CCI green health volunteer, who has been volunteering on the King George V garden, said: “It’s really helped with my depression. I like planting things then seeing them grow. I also enjoy getting to use different gardening tools when we make things for the garden.”
