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Therapeutic Community Gardening as a Green Social Prescription for Mental Ill-Health: Impact, Barriers, and Facilitators from the Perspective of Multiple Stakeholders

Author

Listed:
  • Carly J. Wood

    (School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Science, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK)

  • Marie Polley

    (Marie Polley Consultancy Ltd., Hitchin SG4 0AP, UK)

  • Jo L. Barton

    (School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Science, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK)

  • Claire L. Wicks

    (School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK)

Abstract

The UK government has invested £5.77 million in green social prescribing to prevent and tackle mental ill-health. Therapeutic community gardening, one type of green social prescription, provides a range of health outcomes. However, for increased accessibility, a greater understanding of how it impacts mental health and the facilitators and barriers to referral, uptake, and attendance by individuals with mental health problems is required. We conducted and thematically analysed interviews with thirteen stakeholders including social prescribing link workers and garden staff; and focus groups with twenty garden members. The mechanisms by which therapeutic community gardening were suggested to impact mental health were by engaging members with nature and the outdoors, providing hope for the future and facilitating social support and relationships. Factors facilitating referral, uptake, and attendance included a holistic and person-centred approach, which is flexible around health needs. Barriers included awareness of the full offering of therapeutic community gardens and accessibility, in terms of physical location and waiting lists. Given that nature-based interventions have the potential to protect and enhance population health and offer cost savings through reduced reliance on other health services; overcoming these barriers is key to ensuring that therapeutic community gardening is more widely available as an additional mental health treatment.

Suggested Citation

  • Carly J. Wood & Marie Polley & Jo L. Barton & Claire L. Wicks, 2022. "Therapeutic Community Gardening as a Green Social Prescription for Mental Ill-Health: Impact, Barriers, and Facilitators from the Perspective of Multiple Stakeholders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:20:p:13612-:d:948638
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    Cited by:

    1. Shariffa Grace S. Torres & Kent Rover C. Pagas & Carl Justine C. Dinurog & Edmar R. Daniel & Jose F. Cuevas Jr., 2023. "Coping Strategies and Self-Actualization among the Rehabilitated Drug-Users: A Case Study," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 7(6), pages 1212-1227, June.
    2. Qian Sun & Mary Loveday & Saw Nwe & Nike Morris & Emily Boxall, 2023. "Green Social Prescribing in Practice: A Case Study of Walsall, UK," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(17), pages 1-20, September.

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