The NHS Lanarkshire Green Health Partnership (LGHP) is in the midst of developing a new greenspace; King George V garden at University Hospital Wishaw for patients, staff and visitors to reap the green health benefits while engaging with nature.
Local MSP, Clare Adamson and MP Marion Fellows, both for Motherwell and Wishaw, visited this budding garden earlier in the year, which is nurtured in partnership with Clydesdale Community Initiatives Scotland (CCI).
The King George V garden will be completed in 2024 where all visitors of the garden can engage with nature and experience the therapeutic, physical, mental and general wellbeing benefits this brings.
Both Ms Adamson and Ms Fellows took the opportunity to hear more about the project’s goals and speak with NHS Lanarkshire staff alongside CCI workers and volunteers about their experience and how the LGHP supports local residents. Ms Adamson also brought along a motion to congratulate the LGHP on their recent, successful funding bid with Action Earth to secure further tools and plants for the garden.
Clare Adamson MSP, Member of Scottish Parliament for Motherwell and Wishaw, commented: “’It was wonderful to visit the NHS Lanarkshire Green Health Partnership project at University Hospital Wishaw, alongside my colleague Marion Fellows MP.
“We had an opportunity to speak to the wonderful staff and amazing volunteers who have created a beautiful greenspace that patients, staff and residents can visit and enjoy.
“Thank you to everyone involved in the development of this initiative, which is helping to improve the health and wellbeing of our community.”
Marie McKeown, Green Health Partnership Manager, NHS Lanarkshire, said: “Lanarkshire’s Green Health Partnership is playing a valuable role in helping patients access opportunities in local greenspace and nature to enhance both their mental and physical health.
“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.
“The team are continuing to develop the garden and we are planning to include seating, wild flower meadow, fruit trees and bushes as well as mixed hedging to encourage wildlife and promote biodiversity.
“We are grateful for the grant from NHS Endowments and NHS Charities Together that has helped make this possible, alongside the enthusiasm of our own teams and colleagues from CCI.
“I’m looking forward to the garden being complete and offering a modern outdoor space to further support residents mental and physical health.”
Ruth McElhinney, Community Development Manager at CCI, commented: “Our volunteers are attending the King George V Garden weekly where we have built and delivered planters, grew potatoes, onions and other herbs.
“Earlier in the year, the LGHP received funding from Action Earth to contribute to a nature-rich future, which was used to develop the new King George V garden by purchasing plants and hand tools for the site.
“Our volunteers work on a range of our NHS projects and have reported improved physical and mental wellbeing, having better sleep, more energy and feeling they have made a worthy contribution to their community. They have loved seeing the garden come together from design to build and are enjoying that they have contributed to bring the garden to life.”
