A community garden, which was established as part of Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership’s (HSCP) Shields Health and Care Centre, has been a sanctuary to people struggling with their mental health, isolation or loneliness.

The garden is an oasis of green tranquility in the heart of Pollokshields. It has raised beds for vegetable growing, fruit bushes, a mini-orchard and a border with a variety of plants traditionally used for maintaining health.

Urban Roots have been commissioned by our HSCP’s Health Improvement Team to manage the Shields Community Garden and deliver garden, growing and therapeutic nature based activity, within East Pollokshields since 2015. 

During the recent COP26 in November 2021, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Mental Health Improvement Team based within our HSCP invited a range of speakers to present at their 'Our World, Our Wellbeing' event, which focused on climate change and mental health.

Allison McKenna Breen from the South Health Improvement Team shared information and learning from the Shields Community Garden showing how local action to mitigate climate change can help address feelings of powerlessness and what has been described as ‘eco anxiety’.

Allison said: “The Shields Community Garden provides respite and a sanctuary for people struggling with their mental health, isolation or loneliness. Activity takes place across a number of sites creating a network of greenspaces that support people from diverse backgrounds to connect and grow together.

 “Our experience prior to and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has made clear the role greenspaces and nature based activity play in supporting wellbeing. Alongside Urban Roots we look forward to working with stakeholders to build back local greener spaces.

Participants comments include:

“I’ve met people through the garden who are very different from me, that I never would have met otherwise. I feel that this place helps me to break my social ‘bubble’. It creates important connections for me which help keep me healthy and happy.” 

“I’ve also learned new skills that are useful in other parts of my life and I can share with other people. It’s like a strong circle of positivity which starts at the garden and keeps growing wider. I’m so grateful for that circle and to be a part of it.” 

“With the seasons changing and watching the garden evolve, knowing that I have a role to play in keeping it healthy and beautiful, makes me feel like I’m part of something.”

For more information about Shields Community Garden contact:
Allison.McKenna-Breen@ggc.scot.nhs.uk or Kerri@urbanroots.org.uk