Broad Oak Court Gardening

Working with residents of broad oak court to help with their garden

Benefit of gardening

Exposure to green space can have a positive effect on both physical and mental health. Studies have shown that gardening can reduce depression and anxiety and local green space has been linked to improved mental health and wellbeing. For older people, gardening can be a useful source of physical activity, while supporting independence and reducing loneliness. Living in areas with green spaces is associated with less income-related health inequality, weakening the effect of deprivation on health. Urban green spaces can contribute to social cohesion but the quality and maintenance of green spaces is important to make them appealing.

Location

Broad Oak Court

Smedley Lane,

Cheetham,

Salford,

Manchester,

M8 8UL

Project team

Broad oak court

Winning Hearts winning minds

Buzz health and wellbeing

Aim

I was introduced to the broad Oak Court residents by the community development field workers from winning hearts and minds. One of the residents is really interested in gardening and wanted to get more of the residents involved. To do this we gave gardening kits to residents who asked for one to encourage more to get involved and also to help provide entertainment and activity during the COVID-19 lockdown. We are also providing equipment so that they can continue to manage the garden themselves.

Testimonial

"It was brilliant because it encouraged people out"

“It’s brought more interest to the garden”

“When people ask me about how well the garden is doing, I say I’ve got green fingers and friends”

“People have said it looks amazing”

“I really appreciate it”

Evaluation

It was a successful project which will continue following lockdown. It was enjoyed by the residents and we received positive feedback.

Strategic links to local/national policies

Benefit	Policy
Increased mental wellbeing	Manchester Health and Wellbeing Strategy
Supports older people	Taking Charge of our Health and Social Care in Greater Manchester (GMCA, 2015)
Reduces income-related health inequalities	Fair Society, Healthy Lives (Institute of Health Equity, 2010)
Improves local area	Our Manchester Strategy
Increased social cohesion	NHS Five Year Forward View (Department of Health, 2014)
Can be used for social prescribing	General Practice Forward View (NHS England, 2016)

Research/evidence base

Public Health England (2020) Improving Access to Greenspace: A new review for 2020

Houlden et al (2018) The relationship between greenspace and the mental wellbeing of adults: A systematic review PLoS One, 13 (9)

The King’s Fund (2016) Gardens and Health: Implications for policy and practice

World Health Organization (2016) Urban Green Spaces and Health: A review of evidence

Schmutz et al, Garden Organic and Sustain (2014) The benefits of gardening and food growing for health and wellbeing

Contact

Charlee Fitzgerald - Neighbourhood Health Worker

Charlee.Fitzgerald@gmmh.nhs.uk

T: 07771 805 278

If you found this page helpful, maybe someone else will too?

"Before I didn’t know anyone in this area, then a neighbour invited me to the afternoon tea, and I met lots of people who live just a few doors away."

Local resident attending Spoon and Ladle afternoon tea, Burnage