Young patients and staff from a Children’s Mental Health Team in Lancaster are benefitting from improved green space thanks to a trio of support from local business and national grants.

The team, who work for Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, initially sought advice from Ashton Garden Centre owner, Tony Abbit regarding planting ten fruit trees, received from NHS England, at Harvey House.

But after meeting the team and hearing about the work that they do to support children and young people and the vision to use the space to connect with nature to support wellbeing, his kindness extended a step further.

Thanks to the generosity of Ashton Garden Centre there is now a bench for patients and families to sit on to enjoy the sounds of nature.

Staff putting their gardening skills to the test at Harvey House in Lancaster.

placeholder image — Staff putting their gardening skills to the test at Harvey House in Lancaster.

An additional donation of soil, seeds, planters, gloves and tools means the team will be able to undertake nature work with patients and make more transformations to the space.

This donation forms part of a wider project to develop the space for therapeutic activities, and staff wellbeing.

Next month will see the beginning of a partnership with Lancashire Wildlife Trust, who will deliver four seasonal workshops every year, for all three teams based at the hospital.

The 45-minute sessions will build staff skills and confidence in leading young people or families in activities outside. This could mean a gentle grounding exercise to start a session, a mindfulness practice, helping families co-regulate using nature, reduce screen time, or behavioural activation using nature connection activities.

Colleagues from Harvey House in Lancaster.

A third partnership has been agreed with Natural England, who have produced a set of activities to do in the garden, and will guide the first session with Lancashire Wildlife Trust.

Kat Taylor, Principal Clinical Psychologist at Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We have won the NHS jackpot with the green space available at Harvey House and being next to a canal path. It is well-documented that nature connection can improve mood, as well as help manage stress and reduce the effects of illness. The team at Harvey House is determined to make use of this gift of a space in nature, and we are very grateful for the generosity and practical support in developing the garden for the benefit of the people who use our service, and the staff supporting them.”

Tony Abbit said: “Ashton Garden Centre is proud to support our local community, and we are delighted that we have been able to make a difference to children and young people and their families visiting Harvey House as well as the staff based there. There are so many benefits to being in nature so as a business working in this area it was a pleasure to provide products that will enable those accessing mental health services to benefit from nature too.”

Claire Harris of Natural England said: “Growing evidence shows that nature connection improves mental and physical health and reduces health inequalities. The amazing work being carried out at Harvey House will help foster a positive relationship with nature which can then be taken forward into people’s lives. When we feel connected to the natural world we recognise ourselves as part of it, value it more deeply and naturally want to protect it.”

Some clay materials made during wellbeing sessions at Harvey House in Lancaster.

Dr Alex Blomfield, senior nature and wellbeing officer at Lancashire Wildlife Trust, said: “It's wonderful to see the mental health benefits of nature being embedded into NHS practice with a huge potential for staff and clients to benefit from the fantastic greenspace at Harvey House.”