I am excited that the Anxiety Disorders Residential Unit (ADRU) at the Bethlem has been short-listed for the Royal College Psychiatric Team of the Year 2021: Outstanding commitment to Sustainability/Green Care. This has been a really tough year for the unit, and this is just the fillip that our community needed. We will know the result on 11th November.
Our project “From Plot to Perfect Poo” puts sustainability at its heart. We are set in open green space at the Bethlem where, with the help of Lottery Funding and the Co-op Local Community Fund, we have created an allotment for residents. They receive support to grow and cook produce and source local ingredients for everyday eating. This will also form the basis of a new hospital café, Guts, run by our residents in future. The aim is for food to enhance gut microbiota and promote the importance of a healthy gut to mental health. The project empowers residents and promotes a culture of belonging through shared tasks such as gardening, cooking and hospitality as well as opportunities to do exposure tasks.