Taking time to step outside in the fresh air and enjoy the beauty of nature has proven beneficial effects on mental health. Art in the Gart’s Growing Spaces Project exists to support the recovery and wellbeing of patients, staff and visitors to Gartnavel Royal Hospital and all the other NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) services based on the Gartnavel Campus. 

The beautiful Growing Spaces and gardens around the hospital offer a welcome opportunity to enjoy nature over the seasons. Now that April has arrived and the wind chill is less, Spring of 2024 is coming to the Growing Spaces. The soil is warming and the Magnolia is beginning to bloom in the Walled Garden. The Primula and Primroses offer sparks of colour while in the raised beds, which sit around the summerhouse, edibles, herbs and flowering cut flower plants are coming to life. 

Fiona Sinclair, Glasgow City HSCP’s Voluntary Services Manager at Gartnavel Royal Hospital, organises the Art in the Gart Creative Volunteer programme and events are starting to take place. 

Fiona said: “The Summerhouse hosts the donation stall of the project. All plants are brought on from seed or cuttings by garden volunteers, and alongside the Spring bulbs of Hyacinth, Daffodils and Irises grown in the polytunnel, generate funds to enable the Garden Project to continue.

“On 14 March, Art in the Gart hosted Gartnavel Royal Hospital’s first Social Prescribing Open Day. The Growing Spaces project displayed a range of the spring bulbs and outdoor plants available for a donation, thanks to the Garden Volunteers.

“Volunteers were busy again at the Gartnavel Royal Hub Café lin March when the Easter Bunny, aka Charlie Gorman Live Music, entertained patients, visitors and staff. Easter Bouquets of freshly cut rosemary from the Growing Spaces were gifted to the Hub Café Volunteers by the Garden Volunteers.

“As the Gardens fill with colour, mental health in-patients, staff and the general public find calm and friendly spaces to enjoy as the days lengthen.  If you’ve not yet visited the gardens please do. You’ll find our garden volunteers, who are well informed on the flora and fauna within the gardens and who can offer suggestions and plants for your own growing spaces.  Music events will also be taking place, and we’re working towards our open day in the summer.”

The Growing Spaces are open seven days a week from 7:00am until 4:00pm. As Summer grows closer opening times will be extended and visitors will be able to enjoy the evening sun.

Looking ahead, plans are underway to refurbish the rotting wooden beds so volunteers will be needed. If you be interested in becoming a garden volunteer or just want to know more, please email Fiona.Sinclair6@ggc.scot.nhs.uk. You can also follow on Twitter @ArtintheGart.