A UNIQUE garden project is helping patients with complex mental health issues take a step towards the world of work.

Patients from the Glencairn rehabilitation unit have helped build a garden there with the aim of learning how to better interact with the world.

The unit, in Coathill Hospital, Coatbridge, helps treat those with issues such as schizophrenia, bipolar and/or anxiety disorder.

Early indicators for those taking part show that it has helped improve participants' self-esteem, confidence and ability to concentrate, as well as how they cope with depression, anxiety and stress.

It has also provided stability, structure and routine to their lives whole introducing them to a working environment, some for the first time.

Andy Logan, 29, from Airdrie, battled with an alcohol addiction most of his adult life.

He said his involvement in the project has helped him stay off alcohol for a full year and he now hopes to go to college, saying: "In the past I've managed to stay off alcohol for weeks or months, but since my involvement with the garden I've managed a whole year - the longest I've ever gone.

"I've also learned practical skills from building things like planters, which has given me confidence."

Jonathan Millar, 33, from Blantyre, was only19 when he was the victim of a violent assault which had a huge psychological impact on his life.

He said: "A big thing for me was working as a team to solve problems.

"It was also great to get the chance to learn new skills and it's helped me trust others."

Funded through the NHS Lanarkshire endowment fund, the garden features an alpine area, a shed, greenhouse, wild flower meadow, an orchard and an outdoor classroom, which has been used for teaching, learning, relaxation, social encounters, as well as arts, crafts and photography.

John Pentony, an occupational therapist from NHS Lanarkshire's complex needs service, said: "This initiative has given those involved a sense of purpose as they've felt productive and useful.

"They've also picked up practical skills which they will be able to transfer into a vocational role and workplace environment such as health and safety awareness, risk assessment, communication skills, problem solving, time management, setting goals, identifying their skills, learning new ones and taking responsibility.

"We hope that it will help some of them to shape how they view their life, change their habits and re-think their roles and goals for the future."