Green Social Prescriptions at
St Triduana’s Medical Practice
“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.
The Ripple Project has walking groups and other activities around Restalrig, Lochend & Craigentinny. www.rippleproject.co.uk
Lochend Secret Garden is a neighbourhood garden at 6 Lochend Quadrant, Edinburgh EH7 6DL. You can get in contact by email to lochendsecretgarden@gmail.com. https://www.edibleestates.co.uk/project/lochend-secret-garden/
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/
Tai Chi at Hopetoun Crescent Garden. Gentle movement and meditation in the outdoors with a chance for some tea and a chat at the end. Suitable for all. Contact Nelly Henzler by phone at 07908844173 or check the website https://ithriveedinburgh.org.uk/services/tai-chi-at-hopetoun-crescent-garden-elgt-edinburgh-and-lothians-greenspace-trust/
The Porty Art Walk. Lots of different outdoor artworks. More details at https://www.artwalkporty.co.uk/
Porty Park Run. You don’t have to run, many people go along to spend time outside and watch. It takes part at Figgate Park, Baileyfield Road, Edinburgh, EH15 1NA https://www.parkrun.org.uk/portobello/
Volunteer with Dr Neil’s Garden in Duddingston. https://www.drneilsgarden.co.uk/support-us
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
The Venture Trust offers outdoor therapy. A chance to spend time in nature and talk with trained therapists https://www.venturetrust.org.uk/programmes/outdoor-therapy/
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.