Here at Trinity Hospice we know that gardens can play a powerful role in the care of minds and bodies. A new report published today underlines this and says gardens should be used more in the UK health and social care system.

The King’s Fund report, commissioned by the National Gardens Scheme, calls on politicians, the NHS, clinicians and local government to recognise and do more to promote the importance of gardens and gardening in improving health.

Evidence brought together for the report says the benefits of gardens (including active gardening) are diverse and can play a role in promoting good health.

Access to gardens has been linked to:

• Reduced depression, loneliness, anxiety and stress
• Benefits for various conditions including heart disease, cancer and obesity
• Better balance, which can help to prevent falls in older people
• Alleviating symptoms of dementia
• Improving a sense of personal achievement among children

We are lucky at Trinity and Brian House to have extensive gardens – and even luckier to have a group of amazing volunteers who keep them looking their best. In the past couple of years the gardens have changed dramatically thanks to new planting schemes thought up by this imaginative and talented team. A couple of weeks ago they even unveiled a new rose bed dedicated to the Queen’s 90th birthday.

At this year’s Chelsea Flower Show ‘gardens and health’ will be the main theme, demonstrated in a number of the displays. It will undoubtedly look fabulous, but anyone taking a stroll through the Trinity gardens right now will probably agree that we are gold medal standard too!