Clayton Hall Orchard
Reducing the height of trees so elderly residents could continue to prune and use Clayton Hall Orchard.Aim
The aim of this project was to help fund, and provide support to access other streams of funding, in order to prune and maintain the fruit trees at Clayton Hall. The size of the trees was getting out of hand, as many of the branches were too high to easily prune or harvest. Many of the volunteers who are involved in the Clayton Hall Orchard group are elderly and felt unsafe or apprehensive when collecting fruit. In addition, one of the apple trees was vandalised during lockdown.
Location
Clayton
Benefits 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.
Evaluation
The project was a success with the trees being reduced in size and therefore becoming more manageable for the residents to easily prune and harvest. The numbers of volunteers have gone up since the tree work began, and the produce is now being used in Clayton Halls’ kitchen in the form of fruit pies and jam.
Project Team
buzz Manchester Health & Wellbeing Service
Manchester Wellbeing Fund
Elm House Tree Service
Clayton Hall
Strategic links to local/national policies
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Benefit |
Policy |
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Increased mental wellbeing |
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Supports older people |
Taking Charge of our Health and Social Care in Greater Manchester (GMCA, 2015) |
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Reduces income-related health inequalities |
Fair Society, Healthy Lives (Institute of Health Equity, 2010) |
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Improves local area |
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Increased social cohesion |
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Can be used for social prescribing |
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
Matthew Brown - Neighbourhood Health Worker
Tel. 0161 123 4567
Mob. 07745 123456
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