New gardens and health projects announced

The Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing (QICN) has announced the latest group of nurse-led innovation projects to receive funding.

The projects are all led by community nurses in various specialisms and will focus on the potential of gardens to improve the physical and/or mental health of a particular group of people.

Each of the projects will benefit from up to £5,000 in funding, and a year-long programme of support from the QICN.

The five projects are part of the NGS Elsie Wagg Innovation Scholarships, supported by the National Garden Scheme, and are part of the QICN’s wider Community Nurse Innovation Programme.

The Elsie Wagg Scholarships are named for the QICN Council member whose inspiration led to the creation of the National Garden Scheme in 1927.

The shortlisted projects were interviewed online by the QICN and the National Garden Scheme but most of the programme is delivered in person face-to-face: the QICN also organises site visits to all the projects during the year.

The launch workshop was held in London in March 2025. The gardens and health projects are being delivered alongside two nurse-led diabetes projects funded by the Burdett Trust, using the same overarching principles to achieve success.

Final reports of all the projects will be presented early in 2026.

Dr Amanda Young, the QICN’s Director of Nursing (Innovation and Policy), said: “The competition for this year’s programme was very strong, with nearly 30 applications for the five funded places.

“This shows just how important this programme has become, and the appetite among community nurses to improve people’s health in a sustainable and imaginative way.”

She concluded: “The QICN is perfectly placed to bring these nurses together and to nurture their ideas with a year-long programme of expert support.”