Spring brings new life to mental health Trust’s blooming green spaces
As spring breathes new life into nature, Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) is embracing the season by reconnecting service users with the outdoors.
Spending time in nature is well known to support mental wellbeing, and now that warmer weather is here, gardens across NSFT sites are beginning to flourish with flowers and lush lawns.
One of the latest additions to the Trust's green spaces is a new allotment near Northgate Hospital in Great Yarmouth.
Billie Spurling, a senior occupational therapist, secured the allotment in December 2024 after it was requested by service users as something that would improve their experience during admission.
"It was great news to give the patients as we headed into the new year," Billie said.
"It's really important for service users to go into safe, uncontained environments with access to fresh air and green spaces. It makes me feel very proud to see patients work together; it's a huge addition to the ward to make admissions more purposeful."
Those unable to visit the allotment have contributed by helping design the space and starting seeds on the ward. The produce grown will also be used in cooking sessions.
Activity coordinator Sue Stretton pictured at Northgate Hospital's new allotment.
Activity coordinator Sue Stretton, who runs the allotment visits, said: "It's such a nice space to get service users off the ward. They love being outside in the fresh air. It allows them to feel involved - they're working on something they care about, and everyone wants to feel valued."
At Carlton Court Hospital in Carlton Colville, which supports older people, the central garden is coming back into bloom.
Designed 30 years ago as a 'lifetime garden' by dementia nurse Julie Curtin with help from people with dementia, relatives, staff and volunteers, it is now lovingly cared for by gardener Paul Brabben and a team of volunteers.
Safer care practitioner Sarah Nichols and gardener Paul Brabben pictured at Carlton Court.
The space includes themed areas such as a beach with sand and grasses, a meadow with ornamental farm animals, and a Mediterranean corner with tropical plants.
Activities coordinator Alison Matthews said: "We try to meet psychological needs of patients through activities. We all need love, comfort, fun, occupation, and identity - bringing that into activities really helps us to feel that sense of worth."
In warmer months the garden hosts afternoon tea and Caribbean-themed days with Jamaican music and shandy or ginger beer. Plans are underway to boost sensory features with herbs, fragrant flowers, soft grasses and calming bamboo.
Over on Unthank Road in Norwich, the Early Intervention in Psychosis Service has restarted its weekly drop-in gardening group for service users. It is just one of many social recovery groups set in the outdoors.
Support worker Dan King pictured in Norwich's Early Intervention in Psychosis Service's garden.
In just five years of the site being taken over by the Trust, the garden has transformed into a haven for wildlife. It even hails a royal cutting from one of Queen Victoria's shrubs courtesy of the Plantation Garden.
Support worker Dan King said: "Everyone finds different benefits from the group. Helping people in building connections and reducing their isolation is so important, as is getting active in the garden and spending time with nature. Groups such as our gardening group can act as a stepping stone in someone's social recovery. Our group is very inclusive, and we always encourage people to come along and share their ideas."
In King's Lynn, the garden at Chatterton and Thurlow House is preparing to celebrate its first full summer.
What began as a simple outdoor space for adult and young people's services has sparked a wider transformation. After staff and service users highlighted the need for a therapeutic space, successful gardening activities led to a larger project now in development.
There are big plans to transform the green space at Chatterton and Thurlow House.
The two sites are seeking funding for a full redesign, with plans being shaped through consultations with service users, families, people with lived experience, and staff.
Sophie Neech, a clinical psychologist for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) at Thurlow House, said: "Our overall aim is to have a more established garden and a multipurpose therapeutic space.
"There's been a real shared response to this. We're working together to improve the offerings to young people and adults on this site, and we've got to know the other teams much more since going into this project together."
Ideas include separate areas for adults and young people, a reflection space, a sensory zone, and even an outdoor therapy room.
Cath Byford, chief patient experience officer and deputy chief executive officer at NSFT, said: "Our service users' needs are our priority, and to see these outdoor spaces blossoming into life thanks to the dedication of our service users, carers, families, colleagues and volunteers is a joy.
"We will continue to support these projects, and we look forward to seeing how they develop."
NSFT's services are always grateful to receive donations of seeds, bulbs, plants, pots, or planters. To support the Trust's outdoor projects, contact: nsft.communications@nsft.nhs.uk.