Lambeth GP

Lambeth GP Food Cooperative

We collaborated with this innovative project in its earliest days, building new food growing spaces and running regular sessions across Lambeth. Participating GPs would prescribe gardening activities for patients struggling with physical or mental health problems.

Most participants were elderly or not working due to ill health. Most were socially isolated and doing little physical activity. For nine months of each year we would grow food at their GP surgery or, in one case, in the grounds of Kings College Hospital.

This sort of social prescribing project is an increasingly important element of NHS practice, and we are always keen to explore new opportunities to work with healthcare professionals to harness the therapeutic power of the natural world.

Summary

 

Year: 2014 - 2019

Client: Lambeth GP Food Cooperative

Duration: 5 years

Purpose: To improve the health of vulnerable citizens without recourse to pharmaceuticals or talking therapies. To improve their health and wellbeing through growing food collaboratively, getting outside for some light physical activity, learning new things, contributing to shared goals and enjoying the delicious fruits of a shared endeavour!

  • Lambeth GP Food Coop with Urban Growth NHS garden

    The joy of going home with armfuls of fresh greens you've grown with new found friends!

  • Lambeth GP Food Coop with Urban Growth NHS garden

    Rocket flowers were a particular favourite in summer time.

  • Lambeth GP Food Coop with Urban Growth NHS garden

    Many patients came with their children who could explore food growing for the first time, massively enhancing the mental health and wellbeing impact.

  • The joy of learning you can eat flowers! (and that they deter pests too ;)

  • Lambeth GP Food Coop with Urban Growth NHS garden

    These ladies had all worked in the NHS, and were now making the most of it as social prescribing patients.

  • Lambeth GP Food Coop with Urban Growth NHS garden

    Laying out each week's harvest at the end of a session always felt like a celebration.

  • Lambeth GP Food Coop with Urban Growth NHS garden

    It's never too young to learn how to tie in your cucumber tendrils!

  • Lambeth GP Food Coop with Urban Growth NHS garden

    Each patient brought personal histories, of course, and it was beautiful to see the mutual learning built on a long lifetime of experiences.