Matt is the Nature Recovery Ranger at Tameside & Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust/Stockport NHS Foundation Trust (jointly) for the Healthy by Nature project, which is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
For as long as I can remember, I have been passionate about nature. My enthusiasm led me to train for a career in conservation, but I soon found I was even more excited by the chance to connect people with the joys of nature. This has been the golden thread throughout my career, from working in the Wildlife Trusts to becoming a Forest School Leader and working in nature education. For nine years I ran Longdendale Environment Centre for the Peak District National Park rangers, engaging thousands of young people and local communities with the amazing local landscape. Time and time again, I saw how health and wellbeing benefits could be unlocked by spending time in nature; from young carers switching off from their responsibilities while playing in a stream, to those with reduced mobility taking their first walk in months, or to people living with mental health challenges finding solace in birdsong, nature was there as a balm when they needed it. I was particularly proud to run a social prescription ‘woodland wellbeing’ group and to contribute to a programme of nature prescriptions for Derbyshire. I believe there is a place in nature for everyone, regardless of demographic or circumstance. Moreover, I believe that creating a sense of propinquity between ourselves and the natural world is the first step to saving our environment.
I was so excited when I saw the Nature Recovery Ranger role advertised. To work towards improving the health of the planet and of individuals in tandem is a thrilling opportunity. Green spaces on healthcare sites have the potential to be terrific therapeutic resources for patients and NHS staff alike. To be part of the work already started by the existing Nature Recovery Rangers feels like a real privilege.
Over the years of running school visits, leading walks and running events, I’ve developed quite a portfolio of activities, from green crafts to mindfulness activities, art and nature-themed games. I am an advocate for nature play as a therapeutic resource – for people of all ages!
In terms of nature knowledge, my special interest is in butterflies, moths and their foodplants. It was watching butterflies that first engaged me with nature as a child, and as the years go by that interest is only growing.
To explore the hidden green spaces of NHS sites and begin to plot out ways to unlock their potential as a joint resource for nature and healthcare is a wonderful and exciting prospect. I’ve been enjoying opportunities to visit other sites to gain inspiration. I’m also feeling very fortunate to benefit from the other rangers’ knowledge and experience, as well as those of the healthcare and estates professionals I am working with on site. What a rich resource! I’m trying to be a sponge and soak it all up as best as I can.
I’m working at two sites: Tameside and Stepping Hill Hospitals. At Tameside, I’m currently working on a project to increase the biodiversity and accessibility of our lovely Bluebell Corner. I’ll be working with volunteers to clear scrub and plant wildflowers. I hope to make some trails to guide staff and visitors around the green spaces on site. I’m also going to be running activities including a BioBlitz.
Stepping Hill has less green space on site, but there are still some wonderful pockets! To begin with, I’m going to be working to develop and improve two lovely courtyard gardens attached to the Acute Frailty and Stroke units. I also hope to create a wildflower meadow for staff to use in an underutilised green space next to the canteen.
At both sites I will engage with staff to make the most of green spaces for themselves, and for the patients they work with. I hope that this can – over time – become embedded in the hospitals’ practice.
I’m looking forward to developing the relationships I’ve started forming with the staff on site and bringing our ideas for nature spaces and activities to fruition. I’m also looking forward to getting my hands dirty and to start planting!
At Tameside General Hospital, there is a lovely corner of the site that is awash with bluebells and wildflowers in the spring. Sitting there, I have watched young blue tits being fed by their parents, orange tip butterflies courting and the light shining through the fresh green leaves. It’s a little corner of paradise on a busy, urban site, and a reminder that nature can thrive in the places we least expect.
Spending time in nature is a proven benefit for our mental health, but for many people under time pressure it can be hard to prioritise finding space in our busy diaries. I’m aware that this is especially true in the hectic environment of a hospital. I’d love to hear ideas for short burst/pop-up nature connection and ‘micro-volunteering’ activities that would fit into a few minutes of somebody’s lunch break. To get in touch, email matthew.ross@sustainablehealthcare.org.uk.
Banner image: Matt Ross. All right reserved.