UK churches are playing a growing part in bringing health and wellbeing to their communities by offering their outdoor spaces for therapeutic gardening.
Representatives of successful schemes from around the country will join health and gardening professionals at the Green Health Live Conference at Lambeth Palace on 2 October to share their experience of working with local doctors, mental health services and charities.
The Church of England, together with The Church Times, The Guild of Health and St Raphael and The Conservation Foundation, is encouraging more churches to see how their space can be used either by members of their own congregations or by community groups and health organisations.
Speakers from the Royal Horticultural Society, The King’s Fund and other experts in the field of health and wellbeing will explain the benefits of gardening to physical and mental issues.
Mental health problems in local communities are now one of the biggest social issues Church of England clergy encounter. A survey of more than 1,000 clergy* found that the proportion reporting that mental health is a ‘major’ or ‘significant’ problem in their local area increased sharply over the past five years.
“Using church space for therapeutic gardening makes really good sense,” says Rt Rev James Newcome the Church of England’s lead bishop for health and social care, chair of the Green Health Live Conference.
“Spirituality does not need to stop at the church door, and through these awards we have discovered many churches which are using the space around them for healing and well-being, he explains.
“Some churches have the only space suitable for community gardening within their parish and so making this available for even the simplest garden project can prove highly beneficial. Where churches have begun to offer gardening opportunities, there is a ripple effect such as when local doctors prescribe gardening to their patients.” says Bishop James.
The day’s programme will include the presentation of the first ever Green Health Awards, launched this year to discover churches already using their outdoor spaces to provide opportunities for members of the local community to experience the benefits gardening can bring. Shortlisted projects will be sending representatives and the winners of the Church Times Award, the Allchurches Trust Community Nurture Award and the Mind and Soul Foundation Growing Calm Award will be announced by Bishop James.
* The 2017 Church in Action Survey, conducted by Church Urban Fund and the Church of England.
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
The Conservation Foundation has been inspiring, enabling and celebrating practical environmental action for over 35 years. www.conservationfoundation.co.uk
The Guild of Health and St Raphael is an ecumenical, inclusive and prayerful organisation working locally and nationally in the Christian healing ministry. www.gohealth.org.uk
The Church Times, founded in 1863, is known for informed and independent reporting of Church and world news. www.churchtimes.co.uk
The Allchurches Trust is one of the UK’s largest grant-giving charities. In 2017, it gave £15.6 million to churches, charities and communities. www.allchurches.co.uk
The Mind and Soul Foundation works in the field of mental health to encourage, educate and equip. www.mindandsoulfoundation.org
PRIZES:
The ten shortlisted projects will receive a certificate and gardening tools restored in prisons as part of The Conservation Foundation’s Tools Shed Gold project, tulips donated by Taylors Bulbs and gardening gloves given by the Worshipful Company of Glovers. The Allchurches Trust is sponsoring The Community Nurture Award, which focuses on gardens that get local people involved and boost the community’s spiritual, mental and physical health. The Mind and Soul Foundation’s Growing Calm Award recognises an ecotherapy project that provides community and respite for residents of heavily urban environments. The overall winner of the Church Times Award will receive £2,000 and the Gardening Against The Odds trophy for a year. The awards are also supported by The Mercers’ Company.
SPEAKERS:
David Buck, Senior Fellow, Public Health and Inequalities, The King’s Fund
Dr Alistair Griffiths, RHS Director of Science and Collections
Professor Harriet Gross, Professor of Psychology, University of Lincoln
Professor Jim McManus, President of the Guild of Health and St Raphael
SHORTLISTED PROJECTS:
• ACCEPT, Leicestershire
• Manchester Cathedral’s Volition bee project
• Polwarth Parish Church, Edinburgh
• St Pol de Léon’s Church, Penzance
• St Giles Parish Church, Lincoln
• St John’s Meadow Garden, Upper Norwood
• St John’s Church, Old Trafford
• St Mary the Virgin Parish Church, Lewisham
• St Paul’s Church, Camden Square, London
• Wharton and Cleggs Lane Church, Salford
Further press information: Lindsay Swan, [email protected] 07961 181982 or David Shreeve, [email protected] 07831 387745