Green Social Prescriptions at Craigmillar Medical Group
“The moments I’ve experienced just being in nature are priceless. It helps me in so many ways.”
Patient Testimonial
Spending time outdoors in a natural place like a garden or park has been shown to help with physical and mental health as well as helping with general wellbeing such as sleeping better or feelings of loneliness.
We can offer you a “green social prescription” to help you spend time outdoors. This is a new way to help our patients that we can offer you along with any other treatment you are receiving.
Our doctors, nurses and healthcare staff can offer you a prescription after talking with you about your needs and how it might help. Your prescription may say how long you need to spend outdoors and what to do. It may also include a recommendation about a group or activity that is available locally.
There is a list of local activities and groups available at the end of this page.
If you think this might help you and you want to know more about this, please ask one of our staff or at reception.
Local outdoor activities
Here are some local community groups who can offer you outdoor activities as part of your prescription.
Craigmillar Castle Park. The Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust runs nature-based activities for people of all abilities. You can find their programme at this link: Craigmillar Castle Park
Craigmillar Community Grows. This organisation runs a wide range of activities for people living in the Craigmillar area. You can find out about it at the link below or contact their community worker by phone 07824 838 364 or email karinchipulina@carrgomm.org. Their website is at Community Grows.
The Green Team. They run outdoor activities for young children. You can find their programme at Our Programmes - The Green Team.
The Community Peace Garden at Bridgend farmhouse. This project shows how local organisations and community members can work together to create a beautiful space which fosters friendship, understanding and connection. You can find a link to it here Community Peace Garden. There are many other ways to get involved in outdoor activities at Bridgend Farmhouse. Check the website at Volunteer at Bridgend Farmhouse or call on 0131 564 0068.
Dr Neil’s Garden. This is a bit further away in Duddingston but there are many outdoor activities there. The website is at Dr Neil's Garden. You can also phone them on 07849 187 995.
Other activities in Edinburgh
Redhall Walled Garden. This garden provides outdoor activities to help people experiencing mild to moderate emotional or mental health difficulties.
Royal Edinburgh Community Hospital garden. This garden is open 7 days a week to the public at the Royal Edinburgh hospital in Morningside. You can visit or get involved as a volunteer. To find out more, you can email them at RECG@cyrenians.scot
The Royal Botanic Gardens in Inverleith, north Edinburgh, offer health and well-being activities in their community gardens.
Paths for All. This website lists guided outdoor walks in all areas of Scotland including Edinburgh.
Metal Health Swims. These are held in various places in and around Edinburgh. You can find a map of locations at Swim Map | Mental Health Swims
Self-directed activities
To help you spend time in nature by yourself we have made 4 seasonal activity calendars that you can use. You can download copies from the links below or ask at your GP surgery for a copy of this season’s calendar
The important thing is to spend time outside and to take time to really NOTICE what’s around you. Consider setting your phone to silent so you can take some time for yourself. You don’t have to go very far: just finding a nearby bench or place to sit is all you need. Go outside with someone if it helps. If you can get into a habit of doing this, it is even better.
Each link below downloads a PDF file with a checklist of things to do that you can print.
Spring. On March 21st the days start to get longer than the nights. Spend the time to look for some fresh flowers and watch the tree buds turn to leaves.
Summer. Enjoy the long days, watch bees if they are around, see if you can find some wildflowers.
Autumn. As the colours around you change and the days get shorter spend time watching a sunset or looking at fallen leaves or the animals as they get ready for winter.
Winter. After December 21st, the days start to get longer again. Look for evergreen trees and plants, maybe look out for a robin all plump and fluffy in the cold.
Want to know more?
If you want to know more about green health prescriptions in general, click the button below. It will take you to the homepage for this website.