Green Health: Summer Round Up

Growing connections through Green Health. By Ian Mackenzie

Green Health continues to grow across NHS Lothian, thanks to the support of staff, patients, volunteers and partners who help bring these projects to life.

This round up showcases some of the latest developments, from new therapeutic gardens and growing spaces to wellbeing activities and opportunities to get involved.

Thank you for your continued support and interest in our work. I hope you enjoy this update.

Out and About: Activities and Enhancements

Western General Hospital

It’s been a busy summer at the Western General led by our RSPB Nature Connection Officer Beth, with new opportunities for patients, visitors and staff to connect with nature.

Growing spaces, volunteering and nature connection

A former gravel area between the Dialysis Unit and Inverleith Building has been transformed into a thriving staff and patient growing space, where colleagues are growing vegetables, taking breaks outdoors and connecting with one another. RSPB volunteers have also been helping to enhance biodiversity across the site, including around the Edinburgh Cancer Centre and key hospital entrances.

Nature-based activities continue to flourish, from herbal tea and pea-shoot growing sessions to outdoor activities with patients from the Teenage Cancer Ward. The team has also been exploring innovative projects such as Wild Wings of Hope, an immersive nature-based storytelling experience developed for healthcare settings.

Looking ahead

As autumn approaches, there is still lots planned across the Western General, from volunteering opportunities and nature connection activities to further improvements to greenspaces around the site.

Whether you’re interested in growing vegetables, supporting biodiversity, taking part in activities with your team or simply enjoying some time outdoors, we’d love for to get involved.

Bioquarter: Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh & RHCYP/DCN

Nature-based activity across the BioQuarter continues to grow under the guidance of our Nature Ranger, Lou, with new planting, more wildlife, and plenty of ways for staff to get involved.

A summer of growing, creativity and wellbeing

It’s been a busy summer with lots of staff, patients, visitors and wildlife enjoying some welcome fresh air and warm summer sunshine in our lovely new greenspaces.

Our Summer session programme to support staff wellbeing has been really well received with staff engaging across both hospitals in a range of sessions from nature walks and DIY herbal health to home windowsill growing. Through partnering with our Tonic Arts colleagues, we have managed to extend our programme to include some really well received Creatively Minded water colour sessions supporting staff to take time out in nature in a slightly different way.

Bespoke requests for our service from across the hospitals are ramping up as more team leads seek something a little bit different to support wellbeing within their team.

Across the estate, greenspace improvements are making a visible difference with more people benefiting from the new map and wayfinding along the Wellbeing Walk and better informed on our changes to cutting regimes to increase biodiversity.

The 2026 Chilli Challenge has proven to be a huge success. We will bring this year’s challenge to a close towards the end of September and Lou is already consulting and planning the next growing challenge into 2027. Do come forward and let her know what you’d like to try growing.

Looking ahead to autumn

Although the days are getting shorter, autumn is one of the most exciting times of year for Green Health.

It’s the season for planting spring bulbs, planning future projects and preparing new areas for growth next year. We’re already working with volunteer groups and teams from across the hospitals to develop new initiatives and continue building on the momentum we’ve seen throughout the summer.

Whether you’re interested in joining a wellbeing walk, learning to grow something new, arranging a tailored session for your team or helping with a community planting project, there are lots of opportunities to get involved.

Royal Edinburgh Hospital

A range of exciting projects are underway across the Royal Edinburgh Hospital led by our Arts and Greenspace Manager, Becky, to enhance outdoor spaces for patients, visitors and staff.

Transforming gardens and celebrating another Green Flag Award

Work has begun on major courtyard improvements within the Orchard Clinic, including the development of a new mural designed in collaboration with patients and staff. Elsewhere, volunteers and partners have been helping to revitalise the Craiglockhart Courtyard Garden, while the Glazed Corridor Garden has been refreshed and reopened for wider community use.

The hospital was also delighted to retain its Green Flag Award for another year, recognising the ongoing commitment of staff, volunteers and partner organisations to maintaining high-quality green spaces.

Alongside these improvements, summer activities included a visit from author Alexander McCall Smith, the return of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital’s annual parade bringing the hospital grounds to life with everything from a giant Kelpie to Nessie and colourful butterflies, and continued progress on a range of creative and environmental projects across the site.

Cyrenians Community Garden

Growing Together: Community Gardening Sessions Supporting Patients

Patients at the Royal Edinburgh have been enjoying the benefits of Cyrenians’ Growing Together gardening sessions, funded by NHS Lothian Charity. The sessions provide opportunities to spend time outdoors, connect with nature, learn new skills and build meaningful relationships with staff and volunteers.

The impact has been clear to see, with one participant described as being “back in their garden, feeling and touching every flower”, while another volunteer noted “every patient smiling ear to ear as they were leaving”.

A highlight of this year’s Summer Sessions saw acclaimed author Alexander McCall Smith visit the community garden for an afternoon of storytelling and conversation. More than 70 patients, staff and volunteers attended the event, with everyone receiving a signed copy of one of his books.

Looking ahead

As we move into autumn, work continues across the Royal Edinburgh Hospital to develop spaces that support wellbeing, encourage creativity and strengthen connections with nature.

Whether through garden improvements, creative projects, community events or partnership working, each project contributes to a shared vision of a hospital environment that feels greener, more welcoming and more supportive for everyone who spends time here.

St John’s Hospital

Creating therapeutic outdoor spaces

Exciting transformations are underway at St John’s Hospital, supported by our Green Health Projects Manager, Iain Cartwright, as green spaces are enhanced to support both patient care and staff wellbeing.

Work is underway to improve outdoor spaces for both patients and staff. The Mother and Baby Unit garden is being transformed into a welcoming space where mothers, babies and families can spend time outdoors together, while a new wellbeing garden for theatre staff will create opportunities to rest, recharge and connect with nature during the working day.

These projects are being shaped in partnership with Estates and clinical teams to make sure the spaces work for the people who use them every day.

The Mother and Baby Unit garden is an invaluable resource for the women and families we support. Many mothers are not well enough to leave the hospital, and the garden provides a safe, therapeutic outdoor space where they can access fresh air and connect with nature.”

Tricia, Senior Charge Nurse.

Astley Ainslie Hospital

Our Green Health team had a great two days with volunteers scything the wildflower meadows at the Astley Ainslie Hospital. We brought in experts from The Conservation Volunteers to teach them how to scythe and the importance of it.

A job well done, especially in typical Scottish weather! We can’t wait to see the wildflowers bloom again next spring.

East Lothian Community Hospital

New therapeutic gardens officially opened

August saw the official opening of two new therapeutic gardens at East Lothian Community Hospital, made possible through support from the Blythe Family Trust and delivered by our Green Health Projects Manager, Iain Cartwright.

Even before the formal opening, patients and families had begun making use of the spaces, enjoying opportunities to spend time outdoors in welcoming and accessible surroundings. The gardens are already supporting regular patient activities, with raised beds planted with vegetables and herbs as part of our new Horticultural Practitioner’s gardening sessions.

Feedback from patients, families and staff has been overwhelmingly positive, with the new spaces enhancing opportunities for connection, activity and time in nature.

Welcome to Louise Lissaman

We’re delighted to have Louise Lissaman on board as our new Horticultural Practitioner. Louise brings extensive experience in therapeutic horticulture and is already helping patients build confidence, learn new skills and experience the wellbeing benefits of gardening.

One patient, who had previously been very quiet and withdrawn on the ward, completely lit up during the garden activities, becoming lively, communicative, and enthusiastic as he helped with the planting.

Midlothian Community Hospital Garden

Midlothian Community Hospital Garden are enjoying some new additions, there is a new undercover space which was funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund last year alongside new brick raised beds which will soon be covered by mosaics which have been carefully crafted by our wonderful volunteers. We also seem to have some grass trolls that have moved in which will be joined soon by garden fairies.

Throughout September to December our volunteers and local community members can come to the garden and enjoy a community meal prepared by our very own volunteer chefs. It is always lovely to cook with produce from the garden and sit together to enjoy with company.

Volunteer Opportunities

Help our hospital greenspaces flourish.

We’re currently looking for Independent Garden Volunteers to help care for and develop greenspaces across NHS Lothian sites.
This rewarding role is ideal for experienced gardeners who would like to use their skills to support projects that benefit patients, visitors, staff and wildlife.

Whether you can spare a few hours or are looking for an ongoing volunteering opportunity, we’d love to hear from you.

Network News

Thank you to everyone who joined our Green Health Network event in August.

Save the dates for upcoming Network events:

Wednesday 18th November 2026
Tuesday 9th March 2027

As a network member, you will automatically receive a calendar invitation for the above event once the topics have been confirmed.