Green Health Prescribing with Cyrenians: K
K has been a regular at the Community Gardens since May 2022 – in fact, he’s never missed a session. He started out working one-to-one with a buddy, but as his confidence grew, so did his connections. These days, he’s happiest working alongside others as part of a small group.
His story shows how the gardens can be a space to build confidence, make friends, and feel part of something.
K spent some time resident at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. During this time, he’d enjoyed taking part in the Cyrenians Patient Engagement activities on Fridays in the Community Gardens. When he left the hospital, his psychiatrist told him it would be good to work a couple of days a week. As K’s new home wasn’t far away, he asked whether he could continue working in the garden.
K’s been a participant since May 2022, and has never missed a session. To begin with he worked 1:1 with a buddy, but as his confidence developed, he began working with other volunteers and participants, and he’s now happiest working as part of a small group. He’s taken on a couple of small plots which he manages himself, growing potatoes, onion, garlic, shallots and courgettes. Last summer, 2024, he had a go at growing kohl rabi and Shetland kale, both of which were the envy of the gardens!
Among the many other gardening tasks, K makes sure the garden bird feeders are always topped up, and feeds the worms in the Wormery. He enjoys small woodwork projects.
When asked what he gets out of his time in the garden K said this:
“It keeps me on the straight and narrow! No seriously it gives me routine. If I keep working, keep my routine it keeps me away from all the bad things. It’s working for me. I like the
weather, being outside, really! It’s everything about here, colourful, and just nice. I like picking up one or two things about gardening…and taking home potatoes!”
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.