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Cultivating Health and Mental Well-being Among Older People in Northern England

Reports and working papers are available here

In early 2002 ninety-three older people in Carlisle volunteered to take part in the Cultivating Health Project (CHP), a two year in-depth study, which included an intervention over nine months from January to November that year. The project, funded by the former NHS Executive - Northern and Yorkshire, was set up as part of the 'Healthy Ageing' initiative. The aim was to study the effects of different activities on the health and mental well-being of people aged over 65 of age, especially those who are materially disadvantaged. In particular, the study was designed to compare the relative health benefits of gardening versus social activity.

There is a growing, but small body of published research on the health benefits of gardening in the UK, with as yet, little on the mental health benefits. Literature on mental health benefits and gardening is more obvious in the USA where 'horticultural therapy' is quite well-established, with its own journal since 1986 (Journal of Therapeutic Horticultural). We wanted to explore the anecdotal evidence reported by retired Osteopath, Donald Norfolk: 'My gardening patients tended to be healthier, both mentally and physically. They shared cuttings and produce. They didn't seem to mind much about what they wore and they seemed generally happy, which is the best way to good health' (The Times 8 July 2000).

At the start of the study we knew of several community schemes in progress (e.g. Lancaster, Burnley and Bradford), but research to evaluate such schemes was only just beginning. The study group GRAIN has now produced a first evaluative report of a number of gardening projects in the UK (see www.growingtogether.org.uk).

We set up three groups, a Gardening Club, a Social Club and a Reference Group. People were invited to join one of these groups over the nine months of the study where they could take part in regular activities, or if in the Reference Group continue to go about their everyday lives. Participants' health and well-being was assessed throughout by a combination of self-assessment and researcher led observation. Both Gardening and Social Clubs proved successful interventions and they have continued to run following the end of the study. The Cultivating Health Project proved to be an enriching process for many of the people who took part and for us as researchers. We feel that the study has deepened our understanding of the needs of older people and points to a number of ways, very often simple and people-led, in which health and well-being can be more effectively promoted and maintained in older age.

The Cultivating Health Project, based in Carlisle, was collaboratively run by the Division of Health Research, Lancaster University; Department of Public Health at Carlisle Primary Care Trust; Age Concern, Carlisle; and the Parks and Countryside Section, Carlisle City Council. The research was part of the 'Healthy Ageing' Initiative: a regional programme commissioned by the UK Government.

For a full report of findings please see the Reports and Working Papers as below. We present this report in the hope that we may inspire future innovative community-based initiatives with older people-led leisure and other activities for over-65s both in Carlisle and elsewhere.

Reports and Working Papers

Document Name	Word	PDF
Cultivating Health Project - Participants' Summary Report, June 2003
Cultivating Health Project - End of Project Research Report, October 2003

Further reports will be available here soon...