Green Social Prescriptions at Muirhouse 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
We work with some local community groups who can offer you outdoor activities as part of your prescription.
Lauriston farm
Contact: Hannah King by email hannah@lauristonfarm.org
https://www.lauristonfarm.scot/
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/
Other activities in Edinburgh
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.
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 - guided outdoor walks in all areas of Scotland including Edinburgh. https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/health-walks
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 the current 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.
The links below will download a PDF file 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 flower 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.