NHS Forest caught up with Ian Higgins, Environmental and Waste Manager from Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust, who was one of the first to take part in the NHS Forest project 15 years ago! We asked him about the woodland he planted and were intrigued to hear about the amazing green space work which happened subsequently as well as the benefits to staff, patients and the general public.
Tickhill Road Hospital (now known as Tickhill Road Site) was one of the flagship projects supported by the NHS Forest. During the winter of 2009-2010 the NHS Forest supplied 1200 trees which were planted across an open space adjacent to an ancient eight-hectare woodland on the site. We supported Ian in choosing species, mostly selecting varieties which mirrored those in the existing woodland such as ash, holly, elder and oak.
The trees were planted, mulched heavily with woodchip and supported with a little bit of watering in the first year. Ian says that the trees settled in exceptionally well and there was a success rate of around 90%. During the first few seasons there was an annual reapplication of woodchip around the trees, but other than that, upkeep was minimal.
13 years later in 2022, Tickhill worked with The Conservation Volunteers who came with local volunteers to do a few days maintenance. They selectively thinned species such as sycamore, which had spread from the ancient woodland, and removed any trees that were looking a bit crowded. They also made sure to reserve oak and ash specimens. At this point any remaining tree guards were taken off by TCV. Now, fifteen years later an impressive, semi-mature woodland is thriving.
Spot the difference!
Notice where the woodland edge is in relation to the security camera pole seen in both photos.
Aside from the local meadow flowers, which include selfheal, plantain and cat’s ear, Ian has seen common orchids and bee orchids dotted about the site. Across the site there are loads of wild areas and Ian is looking forward to hosting a bioblitz next spring. At Tickhill Road Hospital every member of staff is allotted half a day’s learning per month and as part of this programme, Ian hopes around 100 volunteers will partake in this biodiversity survey. He expects to get a high level of information about current biodiversity across their green space.
I asked Ian if 15 years on he thinks this woodland expansion has been successful overall. His response was a resounding, yes.
Off the back of this successful woodland creation, The NHS Forest went on to fund Tickhill in other ways. They first became part of the NHS Forest’s Outer Space project which created wheelchair accessible paths and benches through their ancient woodland and subsequently installed some outdoor gym equipment adjacent to the woodland to encourage activity and promote health and wellbeing.
Getting people out into nature is really good for healing
The Outer Space project initially faced scepticism. Due to existing high levels of vandalism within the woodland, it was assumed that making the woodland more accessible would encourage this behaviour. In fact, the opposite became true and Ian suspects the increased footfall is a deterrent to this behaviour.
One of the highlights of Ian’s career was when he was walking through the woodland shortly after the opening of the new paths and he passed a mental health patient and his support worker sitting on one of the newly installed benches. He stopped to have a chat and the patient asked if it was Ian who had made the paths through the woods, Ian said that yes, it had been his idea, and he had been involved in the project’s organisation. The patient stood up and enthusiastically shook Ian’s hand and said, “this is the best thing you’ve ever done”. Ian said just one person appreciating the project made it all worthwhile.
The woodland walk has also increased footfall by the public, which has inadvertently helped to improve reputation of the site which was previously a stigmatised and isolated mental health institution. Now it’s extremely popular with local dog walkers and part of this woodland is now designated public space.
What started off as some simple woodland creation became something much bigger! This site is a flagship example of what we could imagine our green spaces to be. Thanks to Ian’s vision, hard work and perseverance he has radically altered this site for the better for patients, public and staff.
Are you planting with us this 2024/2025 season? Imagine the difference you could make in 15 years!
Want to read about other NHS Forest sites from the original cohort? Read this blog about tree planting carried out by Baldock Surgery.