Debdale Diggers

Debdale Diggers are a friendly group of local residents who maintain the flower beds in Debdale Park, Gorton.

Aim

The aim was to support the resident’s gardening group to help them acquire new equipment so that additional volunteers could help them during the pandemic. The hope was that this would both benefit the wellbeing of the participants, and also help maintain the local green space for the benefit of everyone in the community.

This would also help to create opportunities for local residents affected by isolation to take part in a friendly community activity involving gentle exercise.

Location

Gorton

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

We were able to support the group financially to purchase additional equipment to enable more people to volunteer whilst following COVID-19 guidelines.

buzz Neighbourhood Health Worker Noah also worked with the group to develop a new Debdale Diggers Facebook page to help promote the group, and make local residents aware that they could get involved. Noah has also been helping the group to make links with other gardening groups in the area to develop support network between the groups.

Project Team

Debdale Bowling and Social Club

buzz Manchester Health & Wellbeing Service

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)