A LOCAL social prescribing project that uses gardening to improve people’s health and wellbeing has been given a plaque commemorating a grant it received soon after it launched three years ago.

The National Garden Scheme gave the “Growing Well Garden” at Bow Medical Practice a £2,500 boost in 2022, with which founder and GP Susan Taheri bought a polytunnel.

The polytunnel is used in the garden for growing plants and sowing seeds, but also as a meeting space, craft studio and venue for Tai Chi in bad weather.

“I'd specifically wanted the polytunnel because as well as being a growing space it would also give us an all-weather place to gather, given the fact we don't have a lot of shelter here,” said Dr Taheri.

“It's ever so cosy, a polytunnel is a lovely place to be. The quality of the light that comes through is really lovely. At this time of year, the temperature can easily get up to about 40 degrees.”

The presentation of the plaque on Thursday, May 8 coincided with the National Garden Scheme’s “Gardens and Health Week”.

NGS Assistant County Organiser for Devon Rosie Moore said: “The NGS is very, very supportive of this because it sees the benefit of gardening for health.

“I've never seen a garden like this before. It’s wonderful. I've seen community gardens where people come and help, but to link it with green social prescribing is unique.”

The Growing Well Garden has proved a success so far, with many people from the local area benefitting from it.

“We've had really lovely feedback from people who describe the garden as a supportive space, a safe space,” Dr Taheri said.

“We had one chap who talked about the way that he feels like he's healed by nature when he's here.

“There's increasing evidence for the benefit of time in green space, so it's lovely for me as a GP to be able to offer something different, particularly for people who are lonely and isolated, which is not something that you can easily just give a tablet for in a doctor's surgery.

“Taking an antidepressant might make you feel a bit better, but it doesn't overcome the issue of having connection with other people.

“It's a lovely thing when you see people coming and being together in a garden space.

“Gardening is... a lovely natural route in to making connections with people.

“The Growing Well Garden gives me an enormous sense of pride at what a group of individuals can achieve on a tiny budget with an awful lot of belief.”

The Growing Well Garden was set up with financial support from Bow Medical Practice, which also provided the land, £5,000 funding from Mid Devon Primary Care Network (PCN), and a personal contribution from Dr Taheri.

The garden is open to anyone registered at local GP practices in the area (including Crediton). Drop-in sessions are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Patients can also be referred for one-to-one sessions.