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Ulster University partners with Derg Valley Care and Strabane Health Improvement Project for a £80,000 Ideas Fund-backed study on the impact of social prescribing through gardening and community activities.
Ulster University, in collaboration with Derg Valley Care and Strabane Health Improvement Project, is pleased to announce the launch of Grow Your Own, a research project and initiative funded by The Ideas Fund. The study will assess the impact of social prescribing on mental and physical well-being in both urban and rural settings. By encouraging participants to engage in gardening and community-based activities, researchers aim to evaluate their effects on mental health, social connections, and access to fresh food.
Social prescribing is increasingly recognised as a valuable tool for improving public health, with research highlighting its benefits, including reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, increased physical activity, and stronger social ties. This study will provide new insights into how integrating community-based initiatives like Grow Your Own can further enhance well-being and resilience. The project is supported by Ulster University researchers Professor Ben Fitzpatrick, Dr Caroline Crawford, and Mrs Alison Beattie.
Statement from lead researcher Professor Ben Fitzpatrick - Research Director, School of Nursing and Paramedic Sciences:
Our project with Derg Valley Care and Strabane Health Improvement Project, funded by the Ideas Fund is an exciting collaboration with our community health partners. It demonstrates the importance of community health initiatives to help prevent ill health and promote a healthful culture. Our acute health services are stretched, and therefore we need to focus on prevention of chronic health conditions. This project is just one example of the many partnerships we have with community and voluntary organisations across the University, many of which are focused on enhancing the health of people across Northern Ireland
Managed by the British Science Association and funded by Wellcome, the Ideas Fund supports projects that address mental health and well-being through collaboration between researchers and community groups. Through this funding Ulster University will evaluate the long-term impact of this initiative, helping to shape future healthcare strategies.
