Forfar’s therapeutic open garden is a blooming success for town

NHS Tayside’s Community Innovation Fund has supported the continued success of the Forfar Open Garden (Fog).

Now in its fifth year, Fog is an small therapeutic gardening charity open to all, which aims to provide an inclusive and nurturing environment to promote both physical activity and wellbeing in the town.

Douglas Burt of Fog said: “NHS Tayside has been very supportive of what we have done and our ambition is to continue to develop this as a harmonious and attractive garden for all members of the community, especially those with physical or mental disability or those who suffer from social isolation.

“We want to promote the use of therapeutic gardening as part of a holistic approach to individuals that may benefit from this.

“The garden remains open all year with different activities and events following the seasons.

“There are many reasons why people come to the garden but the love of plants and the wish to connect with people in a safe space offer strong foundations on which people can work alongside each other.”

The core activity of the Lochside Road garden was recognised by the charity Keep Scotland Beautiful.

Fog coordinator Ruth Nay said: “I have seen an increased community involvement.

“Plants offer a common ground for people to talk about bereavement, loneliness, sadness and lots of shared knowledge and experiences.”

NHS Tayside community capacity building officer Richard Mcintosh added: “Fog is a great example of the types of projects that the NHS Tayside Community Innovation Fund supports.”

NHS Tayside capacity building officer Richard Mcintosh, with Ruth Nay, Gordon Peterkin and Douglas Burt of Fog.