www.mddus.com


ABOVE: Patients planting at Jennie Lee garden. LEFT: Camilla meets volunteers with project director Ed Rosen to celebrate the sixth birthday of Lambeth GP Food Co-op


“Dieticians and nutritionists from St Thomas Hospital and Kings have come out, rolled their sleeves up and planted alongside patients” Ed Rosen


mushrooms they would buy the whole crop and make mushroom soup for staff and patients. It’s not that far down the line but it requires a slightly different model of growing compared to what we have at the moment. I can’t ask people who are not well to work their socks off, but we are looking at new technology for growing at scale. I think over the next five years, if we get the investment, we can do this. “In terms of what we are doing just now, it is


very timely and very relevant.” The Lambeth co-op has also published its


first recipe book (available via its website for £7), with a second due to be published in time for Christmas. It features a selection of healthy recipes submitted by patients, GPs and nurses, including red onion marmalade, spring green miso noodle soup and roasted butternut squash.


Model for success It all seems a far cry from that initial scepticism Ed faced in 2013, and is testament to his determination to make the project a success. He is magnanimous and clearly passionate when asked what he would say to all those who doubted the garden project would ever succeed. He says: “I would say to them ‘would you like


to make a financial contribution?’! No, seriously, I would invite them along. We have demonstrated that the concerns, reservations and anxieties were not grounded in the reality of developing the project. It is possible to do it and it works. It may not cure cancers but it improves the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.” Support for the food co-op comes from many different areas and is increasingly high


profile. GP and media doctor Jonty Heaversedge, London regional medical director for primary care and digital transformation, has spoken of the positive impact the project is having on patients. He says: “The Lambeth GP gardens help people feel less isolated and improve the health of local people living with long term conditions across the borough.” Aidan Cleasby, Trust community facilities


lead for Guy’s and St Thomas’ adds his support, saying: “Patients can get outside, particularly in the spring and summer months, to plant, water and prune the plants, which is much more stimulating than sitting on a hospital ward. This complements their recovery process and enhances their wellbeing. “Once the planters are in place it’s just a


case of refreshing the area every year with top soil, plants and seeds. There is very little impact upon the environmental footprint and the benefits to our patients are huge. We are very proud of that.”


• Find out more at www.lambeth. gpfoodcoop.org.uk or follow the project on Twitter @GPFoodCoop


Kristin Ballantyne is a freelance writer based in Glasgow


PHOTOGRAPHS: JIM WINSLET/LAMBETH GP FOOD CO-OP


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