New Nurse-led Gardens and Health Projects Announced for 2026
5 February 2026
The Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing (QICN) has announced the latest nurse-led innovation projects to receive funding.
The projects, all led by community nurses in various specialisms, focus on the potential of gardens to improve the physical and/or mental health of a particular group of people. Each of the projects benefits from up to £5000 in funding, and a year-long programme of support from the QICN.
The five projects are part of the NGS Elsie Wagg Innovation Scholarships, funded by the National Garden Scheme, and are part of the QICN’s wider Community Nurse Innovation Programme.
The Elsie Wagg Scholarships are named for the QICN Council member whose inspiration led to the creation of the National Garden Scheme in 1927.
Chosen by an interview panel made up of the QICN and the National Garden Scheme, the successful project leads will attend a launch workshop in London this March and receive ongoing support and site visits during the year. Final reports, detailing the impact of the projects will be presented in spring 2027.
The competition for this year’s programme was very strong, with over 20 applications for the five funded places. This shows just how important this programme has become, and the appetite among community nurses to improve people’s health in a sustainable and imaginative way. The QICN is perfectly placed to bring these nurses together and to nurture their ideas with a year-long programme of expert support.
Dr Amanda Young, the QICN’s Director of Nursing (Innovation and Policy)We are immensely proud to support this unique scholarship programme which helps to promote the health benefits of gardening and garden visiting to a wide cross section of the community and health care settings. It also highlights the ingenuity and commitment of Queen’s Nurses and, as we head towards the National Garden Scheme’s centenary in 2027, reaffirms the joint legacy between us and our founder, The Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing.
Dr Richard Claxton, Chief Executive, the National Garden SchemeNotes to Editors
Garden Project Summaries:
Restorative Community Garden
Project Lead: Elaine Bevan-Smith – Advanced Nurse Practitioner
Location: Worcestershire
The project aims to support all those connected to the surgery—patients, staff, and rehabilitation groups by engaging with nature to enhance physical, psychological, and emotional wellbeing. The restorative garden will provide a calming environment that reduces anxiety, depression, and social isolation, while promoting physical activity, balance, movement, and social connection. It will extend therapy groups, such as pulmonary rehabilitation, men’s mental health group and pain management groups, into an outdoor setting and offer a peaceful retreat for primary care staff under pressure. Additionally, the garden will promote sustainable practices, contributing to wider sustainability development goals within the community.
Grounded in Growth
Project Lead: Helen Phelan – Operational Lead Nurse
Location: Bradford
The project aims to establish a healing garden for individuals experiencing homelessness in an intermediate care setting and including those in temporary accommodation, to improve physical and mental health through therapeutic horticulture. By offering structured, nature-based activities, we will reduce loneliness, foster community connection, and support recovery from trauma and long-term conditions. The garden will provide a safe, inclusive space for self-expression, routine, and peer support, helping participants build confidence, manage their health, and engage in meaningful activity. This holistic approach promotes wellbeing, reduces health inequalities, and eases pressure on clinical services.
Kerdhva Sawmeant – A Healing Walk
Project Lead: Susan Greenwood – Modern Matron
Location: Cornwall
Spending time in natural environments has been shown to lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone), reduce blood pressure, and calm the nervous system. Even short walks in green spaces can help people feel more relaxed and grounded. Nature exposure is linked to reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and rumination. Activities like gardening or simply sitting within green places can foster mindfulness and emotional regulation. Views of nature from hospital windows have been associated with faster recovery times and reduced need for pain medication. Natural light and fresh air also contribute to improved sleep and immune function. Walking Healing Recovering Nurturing.
Regulating Community Garden
Project Lead: Elizabeth Cann – Designated Nurse and Improvement Lead for Children in Care and Care Leavers
Location: Plymouth
Trauma can disrupt sensory development, causing difficulties in processing sensory input and regulating emotions, which makes therapy challenging. Individuals may feel overwhelmed or unable to communicate effectively. Supporting self-regulation through calming environments like a regulating garden helps restore sensory balance, making individuals feel safer and more grounded. This improves their ability to engage meaningfully in therapy and benefit from interventions. This project will provide such a regulating space. Additionally, onsite college access to this space could increase engagement and support emotional wellbeing for students that struggle to maintain education employment or training.
Bushcraft for the Betterment of People
Project Lead: Lucy Smart – Practice Nursing Officer
Location: North Yorkshire
The overarching aim of this project is to give people a place to reconnect with nature. The woodlands available offer a setting to ‘get away from work’ and relax in the tranquil surroundings afforded by the area. It is expected that the serving RAF personnel who take up the opportunity to use the facility will feel welcomed and the area will offer a safe space to meet with likeminded people and chat about any problems they are facing at work or in their private lives. There are additional physical benefits through the physical nature of bushcraft promoting movement.
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