New nurse-led gardens and health projects announced for 2026
The Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing (QICN) has announced the latest nurse-led innovation projects to receive funding.
The projects, all led by community nurses in various specialisms, focus on the potential of gardens to improve the physical and/or mental health of a particular group of people.
Each of the projects benefits 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, funded 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.
Chosen by an interview panel made up of the QICN and the National Garden Scheme, the successful project leads attended a launch workshop in London this month and will receive ongoing support and site visits during the year. Final reports, detailing the impact of the projects will be presented in spring 2027.
Dr Amanda Young, the QICN’s Director of Nursing (Innovation and Policy), said: “The competition for this year’s programme was very strong, with over 20 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.”
Dr Young added: “The QICN is perfectly placed to bring these nurses together and to nurture their ideas with a year-long programme of expert support.”
Dr Richard Claxton, Chief Executive, the National Garden Scheme, said: “We are immensely proud to support this unique scholarship programme which helps to promote the health benefits of gardening and garden visiting to a wide cross section of the community and health care settings.
“It also highlights the ingenuity and commitment of Queen’s Nurses and, as we head towards the National Garden Scheme’s centenary in 2027, reaffirms the joint legacy between us and our founder, The Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing.”