Green Health
Our natural health service
Contact with nature can have a positive effect on physical and mental health. Hospital courtyards and gardens create therapeutic spaces for patients and breathing spaces for staff. This is why Green Health has been highlighted as a long term strategic priority for NHS Lothian Charity. Through our Green Health programme, we work in partnership with NHS Lothian to enhance the NHS estate and community greenspaces, and connect more patients and staff to therapeutic activities within them.
Project Highlights
![People stood in the Access Place garden. Around the garden are planters with flowers and benches.](https://greenhealth.nhslothiancharity.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/Access-Place-1-740x470.jpg)
Access Place
![Bird on a branch](https://greenhealth.nhslothiancharity.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/GreenHealthWildlifeBirdGeneral-740x470.jpg)
NHS Lothian Biodiversity Action Plan
![Wildlife at the Western](https://greenhealth.nhslothiancharity.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/GreenHealthWildlifeattheWesternFeatured-2-740x470.jpg)
Wildlife at the Western
Havens: Stories and Portraits from NHS Lothian
Join our amazing NHS Lothian staff on their journey to discover their hidden havens – those peaceful pockets within the busy healthcare environment where they find moments of quiet to recharge. From an indoor basement laundry to an outdoor rooftop terrace, the stories and portraits capture the essence of these havens and the impact they have on wellbeing.
![Linda Lupton in her haven: the interesting and sometimes surprising places that NHS Lothian staff use as havens in their busy work lives.](https://greenhealth.nhslothiancharity.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/Linda-Lupton-Portrait-Havens-Featured-1024x536.jpg)
Latest News
![Mary, Nature and Wellbeing Officer smiling at the camera stood in front of trees wearing a denim jacket and yellow bag](https://greenhealth.nhslothiancharity.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/20240614_110224-740x470.jpg)
Nature Connections at the Western General: Meet, Mary,…
We are thrilled to announce the launch of the next phase of our Nature Connections Project, in partnership with the […]
![Outside the reception area of the SMART Centre. There are two benches on a patioed area with a planters and an area of newly planted flowers and greenery](https://greenhealth.nhslothiancharity.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/SMART-Centre-740x470.jpg)
Enhancing the SMART Centre Reception Area with a New O…
The green areas surround the SMART Centre have been improved to create a welcoming and calming environment for patients, visitors […]
![Bird on a branch](https://greenhealth.nhslothiancharity.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/GreenHealthWildlifeBirdGeneral-740x470.jpg)
Your Voice Matters – NHS Lothian Charity Support…
In a significant development for protecting wildlife across the NHS estate, the NHS Lothian Charity is supporting NHS Lothian to create a Biodiversity Action Plan.
![Plants in between paths with a combination of trees and plants](https://greenhealth.nhslothiancharity.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/Microsite-featured-1980-x-1080-740x470.jpg)
Transforming Woodland House Courtyard
Unlocking the potential of outdoor spaces is important for fostering wellbeing in healthcare environments. What began as an application to […]
Recent case studies
![Green Social Prescribing workshop](https://greenhealth.nhslothiancharity.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/GreenspaceSocialPrescribingFeatured-6-740x470.jpg)
Nature Heals
Nature heals. It’s a simple statement, a simple message, but sometimes the simple things are the most powerful. I’m a […]
![RIE Panda Courtyard bunting](https://greenhealth.nhslothiancharity.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/20230822-JS-Panda-RIE-00015-web-740x470.jpg)
Grateful for greenery
At just 23-years-old, Ria O’Hanlan found herself in hospital fighting for her life. The occupational therapy student went from experiencing […]
![](https://greenhealth.nhslothiancharity.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/GreenspaceFeatured-740x470.jpg)
Nurturing our natural health service
In 2019, I joined NHS Lothian as part of NHS Lothian Charity. The Charity’s mission is to enhance the lives […]
![Green Social Prescribing workshop](https://greenhealth.nhslothiancharity.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/GreenspaceSocialPrescribingFeatured-5-740x470.jpg)
Pathways to green prescribing in Midlothian
For public health nurse, Tracy McLeod, going green is all about helping people to live well and have a good […]
Scroll through our upcoming events
![Green Health and Tonic Arts Joint Networking Event](https://greenhealth.nhslothiancharity.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/JointNetwork14MayFeatured-13-740x470.jpg)
Green Health Network: Speed Talks and Networking Lunch
Join the Green Health network on Wednesday, August 21st, 2024 for an informative and interactive session, both in-person and online! […]
![](https://greenhealth.nhslothiancharity.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/Emma-McLeod-Portrait-Havens-Featured-740x470.jpg)
Preview – Havens: Stories and Portraits from NHS Lothian
Join us at Stills for an exclusive look at Havens: Stories and Portraits from NHS Lothian.
![Linda Lupton in her haven: the interesting and sometimes surprising places that NHS Lothian staff use as havens in their busy work lives.](https://greenhealth.nhslothiancharity.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/Linda-Lupton-Portrait-Havens-Featured-740x470.jpg)
Havens: Stories and Portraits from NHS Lothian
Come and see the stories of the interesting and sometimes surprising places that staff use as havens in their busy work lives. Maybe, you’ll find some inspiration for your own haven?
![NHS Lothian staff sitting on a bench laughing at Belhaven Hospital Community Garden](https://greenhealth.nhslothiancharity.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/BelhavenCommunityGarden-740x470.jpg)
Working together to improve health and wellbeing in NHS Lothian
NHS Lothian Charity: Green Health and Tonic Arts Network Event 2024 *This event is now closed.* We were delighted to […]
![](https://greenhealth.nhslothiancharity.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/GreenHealthFlagREHFeatured-1024x536.jpg)
Connect to our network to learn and share
If you feel passionately about the benefits of nature and their potential in addressing health inequalities, join our Green Health Network. All you need are a few good ideas, a little time to spare and a willingness to be involved with promoting and supporting green health activities across the Lothians.
Get in touch
Get in touch if you would like to find out more or discuss how we can work together to benefit NHS Lothian patients and staff.
![Ian Mackenzie, Green Health Programme Manager](https://greenhealth.nhslothiancharity.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/IanChris-Watt-Photography_177web.jpg)