NGS Open Gardens and the 5 Ways to Wellbeing

July was an exciting month getting outdoors and active visiting open gardens generously opened by their owners for the National Garden Scheme (NGS). The NGS fund a variety of nursing and care charities including The Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing (QICN).

At the beginning of July, I returned to lovely Littlethorpe Manor, Ripon. It was my third visit there but there is always something new to see or someone new to share the joy with. I shared this day with my cousin Mhairi also a nurse. This was her first visit, and she was in awe at the sheer size and beauty of the gardens. They are truly breathtaking. It was remarkably busy, packed full of visitors admiring the eleven acres of grounds, four fairly formal gardens around the house and acres of parkland. Stunning areas including a walled garden, a sunken garden and the physic garden – pops of colour everywhere from flowers in full bloom.

I have visited quite a few open gardens now and look forward to the first visit and being introduced to their individual features. Thirsk Hall and Sculpture Garden was truly unique, hosting a fabulous collection of modern and contemporary art including monumental outdoor sculptures dotted around the parkland. Around every corner there was a feast for your eyes. I particularly liked the planting schemes perfectly complimenting the old buildings unique architectural features. Fascinating too to see work in progress to return the garden to its former glory, definitely one to return to.

And finally, another first, a visit to The Nursery in Acomb, York a private organic garden. This was exciting as I hadn’t visited a garden before with such an abundance of fruit and vegetables. As I approached the house, I had no idea what I would find. There were over a hundred apples and pears and a large fruit cage. Narrow paths wound their way around the one acre plot weaving between the borders bursting full of flowers and produce. A small woodland area and beds created a welcoming habitat for wildlife. There were greenhouses too including one twenty metres long housing row upon row of tomatoes, peppers, aubergines. In a second greenhouse there was a variety of melons; plump and ripening.

I am familiar with the 5 Ways to Wellbeing using it in my clinical practice as a School Nurse with children and young people wand as a Team Leader supporting team members. The 5 Steps to Wellbeing is a set of evidence based simple and practical actions that can be woven into everyday life to improve mental health and wellbeing; Connect, Learn, Get Active, Take Notice, and Give.

Visiting open gardens provides the opportunity to:

• Connect – with other people outdoors and appreciate all nature has to offer
• Learn – about new plants and garden design
• Be active – walking around gardens of all different shapes and sizes
• Notice – something with my senses, the smell of a beautiful rose, the sight of bubbling water in a pond….
• Give – time to nurture the next generation and in doing so nurturing my wellbeing. And to give back – by visiting open gardens I am supporting important causes.

There are countless reasons to visit National Garden Scheme open gardens but for me the way they embody the 5 Ways to Wellbeing is the top of my list.

To find an National Garden Scheme Open Garden near you, visit the National Garden Scheme website.

Visit the NHS website and read more about the 5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing.