The outdoor space at West Berkshire Community Hospital has been designed to provide numerous benefits. The therapy garden, which can be accessed by staff, patients and the local community, is an oasis of calm. It is a place to recuperate and a health therapy resource which also improves the natural environment. It not only provides seating, shade and edible produce but also the opportunity for activities and therapies to take place outdoors. The garden has been developed and maintained by both staff and a team of volunteers associated with the hospital.
Six fruit trees were been planted at the hospital in September 2018, including five apple trees and one plum. The same year, the trust gained recognition for their innovative hard work at the Sustainable Health and Care Awards.
In November 2021, the hospital planted a Tiny Forest, funded by Earthwatch. These 600 trees are planted using the ‘Miyawaki Method’ and are small, dense, fast-growing native woodlands. The saplings were planted during a community planting day.
In 2024 they planted a further 50 NHS Forest trees paid for by the Nature for Climate fund.
