About the Project

We are exploring how home growing can deepen people’s connection to food and nature while improving health and wellbeing. Gardening and being around plants have been shown to positively affect mental and physical health. We’re also interested in how growing food at home might inspire pro-environmental behaviour change.

Building on existing models that show how community growing can foster low-carbon food habits, we aim to go further by exploring its impact on health and wellbeing. Previous research has found that participants improved their environmental awareness, food self-sufficiency, shopping habits, dietary choices, and waste management through growing initiatives.

We’re inviting NHS Scotland staff to join us in growing edible plants at home. Participants will track how this influences their relationship with food, nature, health, and the environment. To make growing accessible, we encourage windowsill gardening for those without outdoor spaces. We also want to create a sense of community. Participants will grow ingredients for herbal teas and, at the end of the project, come together to share experiences over a cup of their homemade tea. Through this, we hope to inspire sustainability, connection, and a renewed sense of wellbeing.