TUESDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER, 2022

Photographs attached: Photo 1- Crieff Community Hospital Garden, photo 2 – Staff involved in the community garden project

Gardening for Health at Crieff Community Hospital

A gardening project at Crieff Community Hospital is helping people reap the benefits of improved mental health and wellbeing.

The Crieff Gardening for Health project gives volunteers the opportunity to learn gardening skills at weekly sessions in a supportive and friendly environment. The project aims to improve participants’ health and wellbeing by building confidence and self-esteem while learning new skills.

A celebration event for participants and invited guests was held recently at Crieff Community Hospital to mark the success of the project.

Currently around 10 volunteers regularly attend the group which runs twice a week. Participants in the project are also offered the opportunity to gain a qualification in gardening with education charity ASDAN.

Gardening for Health project leader Mike Hamilton said he has loved seeing how gardening has benefited those taking part.

He said, “Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have taken up gardening and research has shown just how valuable spending time outdoors in nature is to our health and wellbeing.

“The Gardening for Health project is about getting people out into the garden at Crieff Community Hospital to work together in a friendly environment. They enjoy learning together in small groups with support from Perth & Kinross Council Community Learning and Development team, whilst improving an area enjoyed by hospital patients, visitors and staff. This project is making a real difference to people’s lives.”

One of the people taking part in the project said he has enjoyed being part of the gardening group.

He said, “I like the company of others. It gets me out the house and helps me with my mental health.”

The Gardening for Health project has been developed with support from Perth & Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership, Perth & Kinross Council Community Investment Fund, Perth and Kinross Council Community Learning and Development Team, Growbiz, The Care & Well-being Collective and the Friends of Crieff Community Hospital.

To find out more about taking part in the Gardening for Health project, please contact Perth & Kinross HSCP Healthy Communities Project Worker Shona Fowler by emailing shona.fowler@nhs.scot or by calling 01738 473718.

Contact:

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138