During National Green Health Week (14-22 May), NHS Lanarkshire’s occupational therapy adult learning disabilities team held an open day in the woodland area within Kirklands Headquarters to showcase some of the successful work their patients have been doing as part of their occupational therapy green health treatment programmes.
The theme of this year’s event was ‘Give Nature a Go’ and visitors were able to sample some of the outdoor activities patients have enjoyed such as toasting marshmallows, ‘Kelly Kettle’ tea tasting, making apple bird feeders as well as getting creative making ‘green men’ tree sculptures.
A photographic exhibition featured a variety of work patients have accomplished which included the creation of a hibernaculum (bug hotel), environmental art, the ancient tradition of apple wassailing, bush-craft skills and examples of the four challenges achieved as part of the John Muir Award ~ discover, explore, conserve and share. Occupational therapy has offered this nationally recognised award for patients over the past two years in co-operation with the Cumbernauld Living Landscapes Wild Ways Well programme.
The event was facilitated by Jacqueline Evans, occupational therapy assistant practitioner with the adult learning disabilities service, with support from Kirsty Neville, senior healthcare support worker and Fiona Ramsay, occupational therapist.
Jacqueline said: “Green Health activities play a substantial role in the delivery of occupational therapy treatment programmes. This was particularly relevant during recent times when restrictions brought on by the pandemic affected our ability to carry out routine indoor home visits. The benefits of getting outside and connecting with nature are limitless and can improve physical health, mental health and offer the opportunity for socialisation, team work and learning skills which are transferable to everyday life. Sharing the experience of cooking on a campfire, working together to build a shelter, exploring the woodland and ‘giving back’ to nature is valuable and rewarding for staff and patients alike.
“Myself and two colleagues are currently training with the John Muir Trust to complete trainer training which will enable us to deliver the John Muir Award independently. In addition to this, we are also undertaking a competency certificate in bush-craft skills with the Tom Gold Bush-craft school. This two-day course will concentrate on ensuring staff are proficiently skilled in activities such as safe practice preparing fires and survival skills whilst being respectful of environmental welfare.”
“These two courses will be advantageous within our service in order to further develop our occupational therapy treatment programmes and enable us to provide a bespoke range of green health activities for patients with complex learning disabilities who are unable to access mainstream services.”
