NHS Forest Conference 2025
Healing Spaces, Thriving Communities: real-life strategies for outdoor environments and health
This event has now taken place.
The 2025 NHS Forest conference takes place online on 2 October 10am-4pm. The theme this year is “Healing Spaces, Thriving Communities: real-life strategies for outdoor environments and health” and will explore how healthcare sites can work with communities and volunteers to develop their green spaces in a cost-effective and practical way.
We have taken the decision to charge a small fee for tickets this year. As a charity, we really appreciate your financial support to help us do our work. However, if you need a free ticket to attend, just send us an email at info@nhsforest.org, and we’ll be happy to send you one for free—no questions asked.
The conference will be recorded and made available to delegates via email the week after the event.
What can I expect from the event?
10.00 – Welcome from our chair Dr Radha Modgil and keynote speech from Kate Tantam, Specialist Research and Education Sister ICU at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
11.00 – Session 1: Nature for mental health
Speakers include:
- Sam Gamblin, Regional Centre Manager at Thrive Birmingham
- Karen Buckman, Nursing Manager, Hillis Lodge
- Dr Victoria Wilkes, Consultant Lead Psychologist for Reaside Clinic and Hillis Lodge
- Dr Patrick Bogue, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
- Dr Katie Hall, NIHR Doctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Academic Mental Health, University of Bristol and ST6 doctor in General Adult Psychiatry at Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (Perinatal Team)
12.15 – Session 2: How nature supports wider health needs
Speakers include:
- Dr. Russell McIntire, Associate Professor in the College of Health at Lehigh University
- Emma Lacy, founder of Earth & Mind
- Emily Nurse, Earth & Mind
- Dan Loveard, Green Space for Health Project Manager
14.15 – Session 3: How we can engage communities
Speakers include:
- John Preston, Business Development Executive, The Conservation Volunteers
- Victoria Shearing, Wellbeing Garden Programme Manager, The Royal Horticultural Society
- Emma Heinicke, Corporate Fundraising Officer, NorthCare Charity
- Sarah Jordan, Green Space for Health Director at the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare
15.20 – NHS Forest Awards and close
The conference is made possible thanks to funding from Sports England (supported by the National Lottery) and the National Lottery Community Fund.
Photo in banner: Vicki Brown / CSH August 2021