Older adults at North Manchester General Hospital can enjoy a new wellbeing garden thanks to green-fingered mental health service users and social enterprise Sow the City. 
Service Users from Park House, part of Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, have been taking part in the Hospital Beds project.
The project gives people living with long term mental ill health the opportunity to learn basic construction and landscaping skills, while gaining an AQA accredited qualification.
Jon Ross, Director of Sow the City said: “For our first Hospital Beds project, Sow the City was asked to build a wellbeing garden for older adults at the new Crumpsall Vale Intermediate Care Unit.
“The garden will include easy access growing beds, fruit trees, and a pergola. To engage with the patients, Sow the City will run therapeutic gardening sessions and help them grow tasty fruit and veg.
“The project will save the hospital money on its shopping bills and provide healthy meals for patients at the unit.”
Crumpsall Vale Intermediate Care Unit is run by the North Manchester Community Services Team, which is part of the Manchester Local Care Organisation.
Cherelle Blythe, Acting Professional Lead for Occupational Therapy at GMMH, said: “Hospital Beds is a fantastic project, which gives our service users an opportunity to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of gardening.
“It’s also a vital first step into the world of work for many of our services users too. We’re all very proud of their work at Crumpsall Vale Intermediate Care Unit (CVICU) and we hope the older adults there enjoy their new garden for many years to come.”
Emma Flynn, Directorate Manager Community Services at CVICU, said: “Staff, patients and our pet rabbits at Crumpsall Vale Intermediate Care Unit are so excited to take part in this project. “Hospital Beds adds a great new dimension to our rehabilitation programme, supports health and well-being and our integration with the wider community!”