The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) is jointly sponsoring five nurse-led community projects to promote the health benefits of gardens.
The funding for the projects will be provided through the Elsie Wagg (Innovation) Scholarship, created by the QNI in conjunction with the National Garden Scheme in 2021.
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The institute is currently inviting applications for the 2024 scholarship, with entry open to all nurses working in the community in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and Channel Islands.
The successful projects will demonstrate how gardening and garden visits among groups can promote physical, mental and emotional health.
Examples offered by the QNI include a general practice nurse working with colleagues and individuals to create or improve a flower/herb garden at a GP surgery.
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Dr Amanda Young, director of nursing programmes (innovation and policy) at the QNI, said: ‘This is an exciting opportunity to demonstrate the impact of novel nursing interventions in the community.
‘It is anticipated that the NGS Elsie Wagg (Innovation) Scholarship will, over time, contribute significantly to the evidence base around the value of gardens and gardening to the physical, mental and emotional health of individuals and communities.’
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Successful projects will begin early in 2024 and project leaders will receive a year-long programme of individual and group support from the QNI, in addition to funding of up to £5,000 to implement their project.
The closing date for applications is 31 October 2023, and more information is available on the QNI website.
