NHS therapy garden boosts wellbeing for patients

The organisers of a therapy courtyard garden have been praised for helping to improve the independence and quality of life for hospital patients.

The garden project at the Sudbury Community Health Centre in Suffolk was created by health and social care occupational therapists Lucie Johnson, Judy Kiddy and Mags Phillips.

Last year the project won the Royal College of Occupational Therapists' Institute of Social Psychiatry Award, and the Constance Owens Liverpool Service Development Award, which included a grant of £3,000.

Ms Phillips said: "Being in a green space is so good for physical and mental health, and coming here offers people who may be isolated the chance to get outside and socialise."

The Sudbury integrated neighbourhood team is a community service run by the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Suffolk County Council.

Lucie Johnson, a community clinical specialist occupational therapist, said: "We are now in the second phase of this project, having run a pilot last autumn, and we are offering a six-week programme to patients who would get multiple benefits from this kind of activity.

"We have been very lucky to receive funding and grants, as well as great support from our community."

Mags Phillips said: "Gardening means stretching, bending, reaching and balancing, in a way that makes the exercise more interesting."

Judy Kiddy added: “Gardening is therapeutic as well as very relaxing, and we are seeing the effects of even a little bit of work going a long way.”

The team is supported by the hospital trust's volunteers, who come along weekly to prepare the space for the sessions and carry out general gardening tasks.

The project also received a grant of £1,129 from the Friends of West Suffolk Hospital charity, which allowed the team to set up the project, support from the My WiSH charity and recently from a social prescribing fund.

The project has received further support from volunteers at the Stour Valley Men’s Shed, who came along to dig over the ground and put two tractor tyres in place as a giant planter.

Lisa Enright, the lead occupational therapist for the trust's adult services, said: "Achieving these awards and donations reflects the health and wellbeing principles that this group is founded on and will help with the progression of this worthwhile cause for people in our community."

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