Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH)’s Green Health Walk, in partnership with Sow the City, has been chosen as one of four pilot projects of The Green Communities Fund nationally.
The funding will enable a number of exciting enhancements and additions to be made to the Green Health Walk. Learnings from the project will also provide guidance and inspiration for future applicants to The Greener Communities Fund.
The Greener Communities Fund is a partnership between Hubbub and NHS Charities Together, made possible through the Starbucks 5p cup charge, that will increase access to nature with the aim to improve the health and wellbeing of local communities.
The Green Health Walk is a marked walking route around the GMMH’s Prestwich site, with seven differently themed areas to visit, so staff, service users and visitors can explore the grounds, and enjoy the physical and mental benefits of greenspace and exercise. The walk was designed and built in 2020 by the Manchester based environmental organisation, Sow the City, assisted by service users and staff from GMMH.
The funding will be used to create and enhance green spaces within the Prestwich site grounds and offer Green Social Prescribing activities. Sow the City will also train Volunteer Walk Leaders and support them as new walking and nature advocates.
The Green Health Walk is one of four pilot projects nationally that Hubbub is working with to learn from their development and provide guidance and inspiration for The Greener Communities Fund applicants.
On Thursday 27 April, The Green Communities Fund announced grants between £29,000 and £200,000 are being given to ten chosen NHS charities for up to two years, to fund projects with the aim of improving the health and wellbeing of the public, including NHS staff. The projects will create or improve community spaces and increase access to nature for people who have had limited access to green spaces, such as hospital patients and visitors, people living in urban communities or specific community groups. These projects will be able to gain valuable insight from the Green Health Walk pilot project.
Michelle Moreton, Deputy Matron and coordinator of Green Health Walk activities at GMMH said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as a pilot project by The Green Communities Fund.
“The green Health Walk is a brilliant addition to the amazing site that we have at Prestwich. It is enjoyed by staff, service users and their family and friends, as well as other visitors to the site. It takes you around some lovely buildings, both old and new and enables you to really look at your surroundings. The walk can be enjoyed no matter the weather, and you don’t have to do it all to enjoy it. I have been involved in this project for a year or so, and we have had some great engagement so far. Feedback is that people enjoy the route and sampling the herbs that we have along the way, such as rosemary and lavender. It becomes a conversational point and a way of engaging in a more meaningful way.
“We have plans to expand on what we currently have, and will encourage staff and service users to get involved through activities such as planting vegetables and herbs which can then be harvested and enjoyed on our inpatient wards. As we know, getting outside, and eating fresh produce, is beneficial to our health and wellbeing. The social side of the walk, and its expansion, is also really important, and will help build relationships to benefit our service users, as well as our local community.
“We also look forward to provide guidance and inspiration to other greening projects supported by the fund.”
