News from our Green Health Network
Check our bulletin board regularly to keep up to date with what’s happening in our Green Health Network
Our Green Health Network brings people together to make better use of the grounds and gardens on the NHS estate, focussing on unlocking the potential of these greenspaces for improved wellbeing and environmental sustainability.
Upcoming network dates:
- Network Gathering: Wednesday, 13 May 2026. Our next network event will be an in person gathering on Wednesday the 13th of May 2026 at the Western General Hospital. This afternoon event will build on last year’s successful gathering that brought together a diverse group to share insights on the power of integrating creativity and nature into healthcare. Calendar invites will be sent to all network members. Make sure you join our network to get the invitation.
Past Networking Events
Green Health Network Event: 11 February 2026
Our February Event looked at the unlocking the power of volunteering in NHS Lothian’s green spaces.
We explored the valuable ways volunteers support and contribute to enriching our outdoor spaces.
Participants shared their experiences and discussed new approaches to unlocking volunteer potential to improve and enhance the natural environment while promoting health and wellbeing. The session provided a space to celebrate successes, troubleshoot challenges, and gather practical inspiration for future projects.
Whether attendees were involved in planting, nature walks, therapeutic gardening, conservation, or were interested in developing green health activities on their sites, their contributions were valued, and the session was dedicated to supporting their continued growth.
Green Health Network Event: 22 October 2025
Our October event focused on Wildflowers on the NHS estate – the good, the bad and the ugly
We explored the Astley Ainslie wildflower meadow project, discussing creation methods, operational challenges, lessons learned, and its success in boosting biodiversity, staff engagement, and therapeutic benefits.
A look back at the positive health network gathering
13 May 2025
Face to Face joint network event.
This vibrant, in-person event brought together a diverse group to share insights on the power of integrating creativity and nature into healthcare and community wellbeing.
Green Health Network Event: 25 March 2025
Our March event focused on staff wellbeing, looking at how you can utilise greenspace to improve health wellbeing.
For those attending in person, there was a guided tour of the green spaces around Astley Ainslie.
Joint Networking Event: 14 May 2024
We were delighted to welcome members of our Green Health and Tonic Arts networks to our combined Network event, looking at how we use arts and greenspace to improve wellbeing in hospitals and health care settings across Lothian.
Attendees had the opportunity to take part in a range of workshops, working with other network members to share experiences and develop learning.
Connecting and Reconnecting: 6 Sep 2023
The first event was all about reconnecting and getting to know each other along with finding out what members are looking for from this network. The top three things that came out of the discussion were:
– Sharing good practice and sharing learning
– Information on what’s happening
– Exploring partnerships and collaboration
Project Case Studies and Referrals: 14 Nov 2023
In this session, we explored case studies and looked at address common challenges, focussing on two top themes:
– Showcasing opportunities for green health
– How people come to projects / or ‘referrals’ – including dilemmas and issues for project users and project teams.
Greenspaces for Staff Wellbeing: 6 March 2024
We were delighted to welcome Emma Martindale, Training and Standards Officer and Social and Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner at Trellis Scotland. Emma looked at how Trellis can help green health wellbeing practitioners:
– Trellis is a charity focused on supporting gardening for therapy and for wellbeing
– Trellis has an aim of access for all to outdoor wellbeing
– Opportunities for CPD available through Trellis
The event finished with a tour of the greenspaces around the Western General for those who attended in person.
Lothian Green Social Prescribing Forum
Our first Lothian Green Social Prescribing Forum created space to connect and share our work and allowed us to have good conversations about what is working and what we can do better.
Green Health Network – Recorded Sessions
Creating Green Breathing Spaces
Using the NHS Estate for Therapeutic Activities
The Transitional Power of Gardens
Making Space for Nature
Join our network
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 and a willingness to be involved with promoting and supporting green health activities across Lothian.