Polycrubs for Wellbeing & Recovery
Community gardening supporting staff and people in recovery
In 2024/25 NHS Shetland, in partnership with Food for the Way, officially opened two new Polycrubs near the Montfield NHS Accommodation Block. This initiative, launched during Alcohol Awareness Week, aims to support staff wellbeing and provide therapeutic opportunities for individuals and families affected by alcohol and drug use. Shetland’s remote geography and limited access to green spaces can impact both physical and mental wellbeing. For individuals in recovery, opportunities for social connection and meaningful activity are essential but often lacking. NHS staff also face pressures that can affect morale and mental health, particularly in isolated settings.
The project was made possible through joint funding and community support:
- The smaller Polycrub (8m x 4m), funded by the NHS Shetland Endowment Fund, is dedicated to staff use, offering a space for relaxation and informal gardening during breaks.
- The larger Polycrub (12m x 4m), funded by the Corra Foundation, is managed by Food for the Way, a Methodist Church outreach initiative. It provides therapeutic gardening, social contact, and community meals for people affected by substance use
Additional support came from local churches, businesses, and volunteers. Transition Turrifield contributed expertise in accessible raised bed design and planting plans, ensuring inclusivity for all participants
Outcomes
- Staff have access to a dedicated green space that promotes wellbeing and connection.
- Individuals in recovery engage in purposeful activity, contributing to improved mental health and community integration.
- Surplus produce supports weekly community lunches, reinforcing the project's sustainability and social value.
- Biodiversity is being encouraged through planned planting of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers.
The initiative will expand through volunteer engagement, including partnerships with the Shetland Recovery Hub and the Living and Lived Experience Recovery Network. A third Polycrub has also been installed at Walls Health Centre, extending the benefits to another community.
This project exemplifies how cross-sector collaboration can create inclusive, healing spaces that support both staff wellbeing and community recovery. It highlights the power of gardening and shared purpose in fostering resilience, connection, and hope.
Contribution to the Shetland Partnership
- Participation: Bringing together NHS staff, community organisations, volunteers, and people with lived experience in a shared project.
- People: Supporting mental health, recovery, and staff wellbeing through purposeful gardening and social connection.
- Place: Creating inclusive green spaces that promote biodiversity and community use across Shetland.
- Money: Reducing costs for community meals through home-grown produce and demonstrating the value of sustainable, low-cost interventions.