Green Health Prescribing with Cyrenians: A
‘A’ joined the Community Gardens as a Green Activity Buddy in 2024, volunteering every Wednesday with both the morning and afternoon groups. While studying for her MSc in Environmental Protection, she brings a gentle, attentive presence that’s deeply appreciated by everyone she supports.
Her story is a lovely example of how volunteering at Cyrenians Community Gardens creates space to connect, grow, and make a difference.
A is currently studying for an MSc in Environmental Protection. She joined as a Green Activity Buddy in 2024, volunteering all day on a Wednesday, with both the morning and afternoon groups. Her gentle and attentive approach has been much appreciated.
About her volunteering, A says:
My time so far volunteering as a Green Activity Buddy at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital Community Garden has been nothing short of fulfilling. I joined the programme in November 2024 with the hopes of picking up some gardening skills, helping to facilitate green prescribing activities, and engaging with members of the local community as a means of social connection and providing
support for participants. I learned about the programme during my Master’s dissertation where I researched why ensuring local greenspaces are accessible to people with physical disabilities in Edinburgh should be in everyone’s best interest. Throughout my study I was able to interview a member of staff and use the Royal Edinburgh Hospital Community Garden as a case study, demonstrating the value of greenspaces to many within the community.
I have previously engaged in volunteering work across various urban greenspaces. However, I found the collaboration between Cyrenians and the Royal Edinburgh Hospital Community Garden to be particularly unique in being welcoming and open to everyone regardless of their background, age, and physical and/or mental capacity. It has been a wonderful experience getting to spend time in the garden, learning to be a steward of the local environment while making meaningful connections with staff, volunteers, and participants alike. Not only do I feel content about being able to give back to the community but I also feel a greater sense of connection and gratitude for greenspaces such as this.
To be able to walk about the garden and tend to its needs, listening to the birdsong and the laughter amongst the attendees, fills me with gratitude that I get to learn and grow in such a place as this.
Throughout my time as a Green Activity Buddy, I have witnessed how much participants appreciate attending sessions as they find working around the garden engaging and have found kinship with other participants and volunteers. In my eyes, the Royal Edinburgh Hospital Community Garden and the dedicated efforts of Cyrenians demonstrate the importance of fostering community within local greenspaces. They not only serve to take care of nature but are reflected in our attempts to take care of each other. Amidst the chaos around the world, it is so crucial to take respite in such third spaces while participating in nature-connecting activities. No matter how big or small, any effort to amend human-nature and human-human relationships is crucial in today’s world. I believe that it is places like the Royal Edinburgh Hospital Community Garden that mobilise people to take action in whatever way they can and encourages social cohesion.
Overall, I am pleased to be a volunteer and a more active member of the community. It is an incredible opportunity to be a part of something positive each week.
February 2025.
Interested in learning more about how spending time in nature can support wellbeing?
Do you live and/or work in Edinburgh and want to share your own experiences of mental health and wellbeing and the different ways keep you well? If you would like us to share your story, please email ithrive@health-in-mind.org.uk.