Congratulations to all the winners from our 2024 NHS Forest Awards. We are always impressed by the quality and range of the projects and this year was no different. As always, the team judging these awards found the process to be both inspiring and uplifting and incredibly difficult, with so many fantastic projects and dedicated, passionate teams deserving of recognition.
Award for innovative development of green space at a health site
Please watch three short videos from our shortlisted sites.
Winner
Our winner is a project with huge ambition and vision and a far-reaching impact. On land leased from the health board, they have planted a community orchard, restored ancient hedgerows, created a large fruit and vegetable garden, dug three large ponds, laid an accessible path, created and managed a wilderness zone, held events and skills workshops, created an educational garden, taught basic horticulture to local primary school kids and much much more. Congratulations to Cae Felin Community Supported Agriculture.
Runner-up
Our runner-up in this category is a project providing a unique programme of eco and talking therapies via its thriving community therapy garden. In addition, the garden is also used by a number of external support and community services which further increases its impact. Congratulations to the Eco Therapy Garden at Tower Hill Primary Care Resource Centre.
Award for active community engagement at a healthcare green space
Please watch three short videos from our shortlisted sites.
Winner
Our winner is a community-led green space project which includes an established allotment. Former service users played a key role in the development of the project and are now involved in volunteering in the garden alongside current patients and staff. Congratulations to Shannon Ward Sensory Garden and the the user-led movement, One Community, who spearheaded the project.
Runner-up
Our runner-up in this category is a nursing home that has transformed neglected planters into a thriving food growing garden, and now runs weekly Horticultural Therapy sessions in that are open to all residents, visitors and staff, led by one of their passionate residents. Congratulations to Lloyd’s Garden and Mary Seacole Nursing Home.
Award for pioneering use of green space for health and wellbeing
Please watch three short videos from our shortlisted sites.
Winner
Our winner truly meets the definition of pioneering, having converted a muddy puddle next to their health centre into a garden for staff and patients through the hard work of volunteers in the late 90s. Despite challenging growing conditions, the garden continues to thrive and be loved and well used to this day. Congratulations to Hillswick Health Centre.
Runner-up
Our runner-up in this category has spent the past 3 years planting, constructing and creating a beautiful and expansive wild space for wildlife and staff to enjoy. They have installed a green roof shelter to support green skills courses and set up a species recovery programme. Congratulations to Fairfields Green Space.
Award for collaborative green space projects
Please watch three short videos from our shortlisted sites.
Winner
Our winner is a health centre whose wellbeing garden was designed and put together in 2 days by a team of staff, patients and local volunteers with support from Permaculture Kernow and donations from multiple local businesses and community members. Congratulations to Penntorr Health’s Wellbeing Garden.
Runner-up
Our runner-up in this category is a site whose biodiversity focused nature garden and food growing space has had a huge impact, fostering community engagement, promoting mental well-being for patients, staff and community members, and enhancing ecological resilience. Congratulations to The Garden Project @ Park Road Houses.
Most trees planted on an NHS Forest site
Winner
Our final award is for most trees planted; this year, the award goes to a site that has planted a massive 4,000 trees as part of a hedging project. Congratulations to Pinderfields Hospital.
