NHS Lanarkshire’s Learning Disability Service Occupational Therapy Team offers various green health treatment programmes for patients to get involved in to support their physical and mental health.
This year, alongside patients who took part in the programme, three members of the team achieved their John Muir Award: Occupational Therapists Conor Cousins and Jenna Houston and Occupational Therapist Assistant Practitioner, Kathleen Lees, (all pictured above).
This environmental-centred award, which encourages people to engage with nature and support their wellbeing through outdoor experiences, focuses on four challenges that must be completed: Explore, Discover, Conserve and Share. This was carried out over six weeks, and included activities such as nature spotting, pond dipping, bush-craft activities e.g. campfire cooking, shelter building and wood whittling.
Furthermore, the group had learning sessions with specialists including the local park rangers and NHS Lanarkshire’s Energy & Sustainability Manager, Kirsty Platt who provided a mindful woodland yoga session. Lastly, the team visited the John Muir Museum where they were presented with their well deserved awards by museum staff.
Jacqueline Cannon, Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner, NHS Lanarkshire, said: “Green health activities play a substantial role in the delivery of occupational treatment programmes. The benefits of getting outside and connecting with nature are limitless and can improve physical health, mental health and offer the opportunity for socialisation, teamwork and learning skills, which are transferable to everyday life.
“Sharing the experience of working towards the John Muir Award and all the activities it entails as well as ‘giving back’ to nature is valuable and rewarding for staff and patients alike.
“I previously trained with the John Muir Trust to complete the trainer training which enables us to deliver the award in partnership with them.
“We continue to further develop our occupational therapy treatment programmes to enable us to provide a bespoke range of green health activities for patients with complex learning disabilities who are unable to access mainstream services.”
Marie McKeown, Partnership Manager – Lanarkshire Green Health Partnership, NHS Lanarkshire said: “It’s amazing to see and hear about the work carried out by the Occupational Therapy Team to continually improve the green health opportunities for both their staff and patients.
“I’m thrilled the team has been recognised through the John Muir Awards, not only for the improvement to wellbeing for all involved but for their connection to nature, conservation and what they have given back, it is a great achievement.”
