Collaboration Showcases the Health Benefits of Green Social Prescribing at St Matthew’s in Hull
On Friday 28th November, local health, care and community organisations gathered at St Matthew’s Community Enterprise Centre in Hull to learn from a collaborative project exploring how outdoor and nature-based activities support health and wellbeing.
The project was delivered as part of the national Preventing and Tackling Mental Ill Health through Green Social Prescribing Programme, which aims to improve mental health through engagement with nature. Attendees included NHS professionals, health and care staff, local authority representatives, voluntary and community sector partners, and members of the public – including participants from the various outdoor activities delivered through the initiative.
Sharing lessons and lived experiences
The morning began with time for networking and learning about the partner organisations involved, before guests took their seats in the refurbished nave of St Matthew’s, for a series of inspiring presentations.
HEY Smile Foundation opened the session, setting the context for how national funding was secured to enable a collaborative approach and to help more people – particularly those from global majority communities – access outdoor and in-nature activities across the city.
From there, the organisations that made up the collaborative shared their own stories of success and learning:
- Bameen spoke about helping participants engage with gardening in their own homes and the wellbeing benefits it brought.
- Hull Afro Caribbean Association described how their student members embraced a new range of outdoor sports, including paddle boarding and archery.
- Bora Shabaa reflected on the lessons learned from running a monthly walking programme and weekly gardening sessions, sharing how their team overcame challenges along the way.
- Solidarity Hull CIC presented a rich collection of images and quotes from their community gardening club, showcasing joy, inclusion, and progress through nature-based connection.
- Welcome House gave insight into what they’ve called their Happiness Project – a walking group for asylum seekers and refugees. Alongside photos from scenic walks across the region, two participants shared their personal reflections, with one saying, “It took my mind off difficult thoughts, helped me escape from war, and gave me a place to feel safe.”
Smile concluded the presentations by sharing collective data from the projects and a summary of the evaluation conducted by Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust and Hull York Medical School, demonstrating the tangible benefits of green social prescribing.
A walk – and a wave – to finish
To round off the event, Welcome House led a spirited group of attendees on a walk around West Park. Despite a torrential downpour – affectionately described as a “mini tsunami” – everyone returned to St Matthew’s with smiles and laughter, warmed by hospitality and hot food from the Giroscope team.
Feedback from attendees captured the spirit of the day
“I found it really motivating and uplifting to hear the stories that others had to share regarding their great work in the area.” – Social Prescriber, Hull
“We were happy to be part of this project and are now getting more invitations to go and present our work… they loved our presentation on green social prescribing.” – Solidarity Hull CIC
“I am honoured to have taken part in this project.” – Hull Afro Caribbean Association
About St Matthew’s Community Enterprise Centre
“St Matthew’s Community Enterprise Centre is a fantastic venue which lends itself to a variety of events. We were pleased to host our showcase at St Matthew’s, also helping to raise awareness of the refurbishment and the community offer. I’d also like to thank the Giroscope team, who looked after us so well on the day.” Anthony Hurd, Programme Manager – HEY Smile Foundation.
Hosted by Giroscope, St Matthew’s has quickly become a vibrant hub for collaboration since officially opening in July this year. In its first few months, the venue has hosted nearly 50 events, attracting around 2,000 visitors for training, research, networking, and creative projects that inspire new partnerships.
Blending historic architecture with contemporary design, the space features a light-filled mezzanine of offices and meeting rooms, co-working spaces, and a welcoming atmosphere for purpose-driven organisations. The centre recently received the Hull Civic Society “Good Mark” award for its outstanding contribution to local regeneration and architectural heritage.
From arts and culture to business and innovation, St Matthew’s is fast becoming a cornerstone for community activity in west Hull – and a proud host for the Humber and North Yorkshire Green Social Prescribing Test and Learn Programme.
For more details or to book St Matthew’s for your own event or community project, contact Megan Browne via StMatthews@giroscope.uk or call 01482 576374.