Gardening and community food growing has been highlighted by several studies to be beneficial for adults and children with challenging physical or mental health problems. Such activities can relieve the symptoms of serious illnesses, prevent the development of some conditions, and introduce people to a way of life that can help them to improve their wellbeing in the long term. This research and the impact of COVID-19, particularly around local restrictions and reduced access to services has informed Cultivate Aberdeen to develop services and activities that better ingrain and measure the positive effects gardening has in a holistic resource that can be used to help tackle some of our key health issues – in particular reducing social isolation and tackling loneliness to see better health indicators. Our Potting Sheds for Patter will link into our wider Elderflower Network aims to provide an intergenerational initiative that connects different generations with our growing projects, promoting connected learning, but with a clearer emphasis on supporting the benefits of the ‘Natural Health Service’ to reduce social isolation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We will purchase a Community Cabin (Potting Shed) to be used year round at our St Fitticks’ Community Garden to be both a purposeful and education space but to also be a place to relax and seek refuge, open to all.
