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 a green social prescription might help you or you want to know more, 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
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 social prescriptions, click the button below which will take you to the main page of this website.