At Foxhill Medical Centre a large, raised bed was built for flowers, plants, and vegetables. The pocket garden is accessible for wheelchair users and others with disabilities. Esh Construction, Sheffield Housing Company and YORhub teamed up to provide funding for the creation of this garden project.
Simon McKinna CHP Operations and Relationships Manager at Foxhill Medical Centre worked with the GP team and SOAR to help set up the gardening project and identify a suitable location with the building owners Community 1st Sheffield (LIFTCo). Simon also facilitated hard landscaping deliveries and access arrangements with the SOAR team.
Community Health Partnerships, owned by the Department of Health and Social Care, is the head tenant at Foxhill Medical Centre, one of 308 primary and community healthcare buildings across England in areas of high health needs.
In addition, the Art for Health Group at the health centre, another social prescribing initiative, painted plant markers and other decorations. The Art for Health Group supports people of all abilities and needs, including people with mental or physical health issues and learning disabilities.
I am very pleased to see so many patients involved in the project and the positive impact it has had on their health and wellbeing.
We are always striving to support organisations, charities and community groups that work within the local communities surrounding our construction projects. Foxhill Medical Centre is located just one mile from our Lytton Road development site which will allow us to leave a lasting legacy in the area.
Community Health Partnerships supports social prescribing projects
Community Health Partnerships supports many social prescribing initiatives at our healthcare sites as part of CHP’s Buildings at the Heart of the Community initiative. The Buildings at the Heart activities aim to encourage local community groups and charities to make the most of our buildings by enabling the use of space in our centres to host health and wellbeing related events.
The gardening project at Foxhill is a fantastic example of how CHP, as an organisation, and our staff are always looking to support the communities around our buildings, working with charities, NHS organisations, and private sector companies.
In 2022, CHP’s sites facilitated over 20,000 sessions, positively impacting thousands of individuals within local communities. The Buildings at the Heart of the Community initiative has played a pivotal role in enabling CHP to create opportunities for social interaction and bridge gaps between individuals from diverse backgrounds, fostering a sense of community for building users and local residents.
Project Partners
Community 1st Sheffield – www.community1st.co.uk/about-community-1st-sheffield
SOAR Community – www.soarcommunity.org.uk
Esh Construction – www.eshgroup.co.uk
Sheffield Housing Company – www.sheffieldhousingcompany.co.uk
YORhub – www.yorhub.com
The Esh Construction donations for the ‘Green Social Prescribing Place’ and the Art for Health project were made as part of the Lytton Road development, a 44-home development being delivered on behalf of Sheffield Housing Company and procured via YORhub. Esh Construction also funded another ‘Green Social Prescribing Place’ at Grenoside Health Centre.
Photography Credit: Chapman Brown Photography www.chapmanbrown.photography
Find out more Buildings at the Heart of the Community
CHP’s Buildings at the Heart of the Community initiative aims to encourage local community groups and charities to make the most of our buildings by enabling the use of space in our centres to host health and wellbeing related events.
