Green Social Prescriptions at
The Long House Surgery
“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.
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
We work with some local community groups who can offer you outdoor activities as part of your prescription.
Heart of Newhaven – Newhaven Main Street
Community Garden drop in sessions. Everything provided. Tea and coffee.
Every Thursday 10.30-12.20
1st Saturday of the month10.30-12.30
https://www.heartofnewhaven.co.uk/
Granton Salvation Army
36 Wardieburn Drive, call on 0131 551 6820
Granton Community gardeners
Wednesday afternoons.
https://www.grantoncommunitygardeners.org/
Pilton Community Health Project
73 Boswall Parkway
0131 551 1671
Community gardening on Wednesdays followed by a local lunch prepared by all outside.
https://pchp.org.uk/
Royston Wardieburn community centre
11 Pilton Drive North
0131 552 5700
Tuesday 3:30 – 5 chill and chat Tuesday tea and snacks
Wednesday 9-11:30 breakfast with Nathalie – cooked breakfast for a donation if able
Thursdays – community lunch 12:30-1:30, community pop up pantry 5 items for £1
Friday – 9-11:30 breakfast with Nathalie – cooked breakfast for a donation if able
Lauriston Farm
Volunteering and free courses with all equipment provided. Check out the options at
https://www.lauristonfarm.scot/get-involved/
Fill in a contact form for more information.
https://www.lauristonfarm.scot/contact-us/
Friends of Starbank Park
Volunteer gardening mornings at the park every Wednesday and Saturday from 10.00am to 11.30am. No experience is necessary. Simply turn up and join in with rewarding and enjoyable mornings in the fresh air followed by tea, coffee and biscuits! Volunteer | Friends of Starbank Park
North Edinburgh Arts community garden
Contact: by email garden@northedinburgharts.co.uk
https://northedinburgharts.co.uk/
Granton Castle Walled Garden
https://www.grantoncastlewalledgarden.org.uk/
Branching Out offers chances to spend time in woodlands to improve mental health and well-being. https://www.elgt.org.uk/projects/better-health-wellbeing/branching-out/
Other activities in Edinburgh & Lothian
Redhall Walled Garden.
Run by the Scottish Association for Mental Health, it provides outdoor activities to help people experiencing mild to moderate emotional or mental health difficulties.
https://www.samh.org.uk/
Royal Edinburgh Community Garden in Morningside, Edinburgh.
At the Community Gardens we focus on welcoming people experiencing mental or physical health problems, disadvantage, isolation or poverty. The gardens offer people fantastic opportunities to grow food, socialise and improve general health and wellbeing. Contact: by email RECG@cyrenians.scot
https://cyrenians.scot/how-we-help/127-community-hospital-gardens
Royal Botanic Gardens offers health and well-being activities in its community gardens. https://www.rbge.org.uk/visit/health-and-wellbeing/
Paths for All offers guided outdoor walks in all areas of Scotland including Edinburgh. https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/health-walks
Edinburgh Leisure offers ageing well walks in all parts of Edinburgh. https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/ageing-well-walks
Historic Scotland often have outdoor volunteer opportunities. https://www.historicenvironment.scot/about-us/volunteer-with-us/browse-our-volunteer-opportunities/
Things you can do by yourself
Things to do in Winter
If you want something you can do by yourself, we can give you a calendar of ideas at the practice. Ask for a copy at reception or you can get a copy to print yourself by pressing the button below.
Want to know more?
If you want to know more about green social prescriptions, click the button below which will take you to the main page of this website.