A WELLBEING walk in the heart of Greenock's east end has been officially opened by Inverclyde Council's chief executive.

Greenock Telegraph:

Louise Long joined Belville Community Garden and Compassionate Inverclyde to celebrate a collaboration which is using the outdoors to open up conversations.

Belville Community Gardens is a haven in the east end which gives people the chance to explore and get access to green space.

Greenock Telegraph:

This has now been officially put into a programme led by Compassionate Inverclyde founder Alison Bunce.

People locally have recognised that poor mental health is the root cause of many health risks.

Speaking at the opening Alison said:"I am very proud to be working with Belville Community Gardens, it is fantastic project and when I was asked about this project, they were the first I had in mind."

The Wellbeing Walk was created by the Queen's Nursing Institute and a small charity, C3 Collaborating for Health.

Residents took part in a walk identifying factors in the environment that impacted their health.

Greenock Telegraph:

These included access to green space, safe places to walk and exercise and availability of fresh fruit and veg.

Results were then discussed and action on. Now there is a wellbeing walk with six stations around the gardens.

These include mental wellbeing, mindfulness, social relationships, helping others, education and regular exercise.

Council chief Louise added: "It is an honour to be asked to open the Beville Wellbeing Walk. Compassionate Inverclyde is a brilliant charity and we know what Alison has achieved.

"Belville Community Gardens is a huge asset to the community. I am proud to be able to recognise both."

Beville Community Gardens and Compassionate Inverclyde both received their Queen's Award for volunteering at the same time.

Belville Community Centre manager Sally Clough thanked her team for helping to create the walk.