Nature for Health 2026
The Nature for Health programme provides free gardening and nature‐based activities for Manchester residents. It uses the power of the outdoors to support people to improve their health and wellbeing, a practice sometimes known as Green Social Prescribing. The programme is funded by Public Health and One Manchester.
“My time at the allotment helped to change my perspective from a negative one, to one that showed me that there is beauty in the world when you look for it”.
Heather, attended our 2021 Nature for Health sessions
Green Social Prescribing
There is abundant evidence that exposure to green spaces is associated with health benefits at both population level and in individuals. Our service links people with structured and facilitated nature-based activities that have been specifically designed for people with defined health needs.
These Green Social Prescribing sessions will be run by trained Social and Therapeutic Horticulture practitioners. They can help with a variety of issues including: mild to moderate depression and anxiety, stress management, low confidence, social isolation, low physical activity levels, lack of community connection, disconnection from nature and those suffering from bereavement.
Our session will take place at 9 community gardens across Manchester. The sessions will run for 8 weeks, and each session will be between one and two hours. For more information about locations and timings see our booklet.
We welcome self-referrals and referrals from health professionals, social care teams, supported accommodation providers and other support workers. Please complete the Sow the City online referral form. If you need a Word version or further information, please contact Lucy Moore, at Lucy@sowthecity.org or on 0161 465 6954.
