Mater Green Gym

The conservation work the patients undertake develops a strong sense of team spirit and gives them pride in what they create, as well as friendship and the health benefits of physical activity and fresh air. It creates an opportunity for people at risk of social exclusion to be part of a positive and meaningful community activity.

Regular locations for the conservation work include a wildflower nursery, a tree nursery and the Mater Day Hospital gardens.

One patient – who prefers to remain anonymous – says: ‘The Green Gym gets me out into the fresh air. I particularly like going up to the tree nursery because it feels like a real working environment and I like working with the willow pegs, right through from cutting the pegs to planting them and then watching them grow. I take pride in learning about things that others aren’t aware of, like how to grow different plants and about the conservation work that is being carried out around the different sites. I attend because I personally benefit from it but if it means that other people benefit from our work, then all the better.’