GMMH featured in New Green Spaces and Biodiversity Toolkit for NHS Greater Manchester
Sow the City has partnered with NHS Greater Manchester to publish a transformative Green Spaces and Biodiversity Toolkit . Designed as a practical “how to” guide, it empowers individuals to initiate or develop nature-based projects across healthcare settings, supporting both environmental enhancement and human wellbeing. This integrated resource is part of the NHS Greater Manchester Green Plan, guiding the identification and prioritisation of green space improvements to meet the diverse needs of staff, patients, and local communities.
The toolkit includes practical steps, evidence-based resources, and a detailed framework of interventions to support a commitment to natural environments that promote health and wellbeing.
We are delighted to say that two case studies from Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH) feature in the toolkit:
The Green Health Walk - a 20 minute route through the grounds of our Prestwich site, with seven different areas of interest to visit including a heritage orchard, an allotment, a herb bed, a natural sculpture, habitat boxes and native woodland. The walk was designed and built in 2020 by the Manchester based environmental organisation ‘Sow the City’, assisted by service users and staff from GMMH. The aim is to use environmental psychology to create a healing environment whilst promoting exercise, learning and socialising.
The protected green space also supports the Trust’s, and the wider NHS’s, environmental and sustainability goals, providing a natural habitat for local wildlife, mitigating climate change, and providing produce for the hospital café.
Recovery Pathways Green Wellbeing service - Green Wellbeing uses horticultural activities to support and build wellbeing at a variety of different community garden venues across the city. Sessions offer opportunities for being active, noticing and connecting with the natural environment and learning about growing and caring for a range of plants.
Through these activities, we aim to enable personal recovery, build confidence and skills, develop wellbeing strategies and support access to moving on.
To access the toolkit, visit: GM NHS Green Spaces and Biodiversity Toolkit April 2025 .
