The Lambeth GP Food Co-op has achieved significant attention across the NHS as an example of innovation in action in general practice.

It is also significant as an emerging model of collaboration between a local authority, a Clinical Commissioning Group and local GPs which provides evidence that public sector organisations can collaborate with exploring new ways of engaging patients, often the hardest to engage, in gardening with a social purpose. Although there are complimentary schemes where gardening is offered as therapy, the Lambeth GP Food Co-op is distinguished by engaging patients in activity that will result in an economic outcome. 

It is an expression of our commitment to developing a local model of social coproduction which integrates Lambeth Council’s interest in enhancing coproduction in the future delivery of services which for us means a more comprehensive definition of what health service might look like in the future. Our aims and objectives are as follows:

• Transform unused space inside GP practices for food growing.
• Engage patients especially with long term health conditions, socially isolated and lonely.
• Build community-led health co-operative.
• Address diet, nutrition, health and wellbeing.
• Influence NHS sustainable food procurement in acute sector.

We were awarded Best Sustainable Food Initiative by Public Health England/NHS Sustainability Unit 2013.

There's much more work to do and we are passionately committed to continuing our work to improve people’s lives through gardening and mutual support.