Kirkholt Medical Practice works with Rochdale Borough Housing on a shared garden for residents and patients to visit and work on. The practice has planted fruit trees and built raised beds. During the summer months, these are used to grow fresh produce, including courgettes, tomatoes and herbs.
A local special educational needs school is planning to build a pond in the garden.
Graeme Hill, the practice’s social prescriber, works with patients who often have complex physical and mental health problems and social problems. He has worked with many patients in community activities, including in the garden, a bike library and a canalside lock regeneration project.
Kirkholt Medical Practice is part of Hope Citadel Healthcare a non-profit Community Interest Company that works across Greater Manchester in areas of social and economic deprivation.