November 2025
Community Comes Together to Clean Up Grove St Open Space, Liverpool
On 6 November, a community litter pick took place at Grove St open space in Liverpool. The event was organised by Dr Sally Cox, Principal Clinical Psychologist at the Royal Liverpool Hospital, and supported by Nick White, CSH Liverpool Nature Recovery Ranger, along with members of the Psychology team.
Local residents and nearby workers—including staff from Liverpool City Council, the University of Liverpool, and the Crown St Hub—joined forces to collect over 20 bags of litter and debris. Their efforts made the area cleaner, safer, and more welcoming for both people and wildlife.
Reflecting on the event, Nick White said: “It was fantastic to be part of an activity that brought the community together. The involvement of healthcare professionals highlights the vital link between cleaner, greener neighbourhoods and improved wellbeing. Nature-based activities like this support mental and physical health by fostering social connection and a shared sense of purpose”.
Looking Ahead: Spring Clean 2026
Building on this momentum, a follow-up litter pick at Grove St open space is planned for March 2026, as part of the Great British Spring Clean campaign. This ongoing commitment aims to inspire more people to care for their local environment and strengthen partnerships for greener, healthier communities across Liverpool.
Social Value in Action: Habitat Restoration at Bluebell Woods, Aintree Hospital
Bluebell Woods at Aintree Hospital recently hosted a series of Social Values days, bringing together volunteers, hospital staff, and corporate partners to support nature recovery on NHS land.
Teams from Vinci Construction, Cast Groundworks, Winvic, WJ Group and Multipave joined CSH Liverpool Ranger Nick White and the Friends of Bluebell Woods to carry out habitat-improvement tasks designed not only to enhance biodiversity but also to promote the health and wellbeing of everyone involved. Volunteers helped clear bramble to create room for young trees, and sowed wildflower seeds to improve foraging opportunities for pollinators. These activities contribute to a wider programme to create high-quality, restorative green spaces at Aintree Hospital, which will benefit wildlife while offering moments of calm for staff, patients, and visitors.
Hannah Bailey, Vinci Social Value Manager, said: “Delivering social value is central to our approach at Vinci, and being involved in this work has real benefits for our staff. Spending time outdoors, connecting with nature, and contributing to the improvement of the hospital environment all support our team’s own health and wellbeing. It was a rewarding chance to step away from the day-to-day, recharge, and make a positive impact for the local community and wildlife.”
Sandra Simpson, Social Values Coordinator at Winvic, reflected on the experience:
“Bluebell Woods is an amazing sanctuary so close to the hospital. Spending a day outdoors really lifted our spirits — it was inspiring to see everyone working together while enjoying the physical and mental health benefits of being in nature.
Nick White, Nature Recovery Ranger, added: “Days like this not only strengthen local wildlife habitats, they also demonstrate how corporate partners can play a meaningful role in creating greener, healthier hospital sites. These collaborations bring real benefits for everyone involved — connecting people to nature helps boost mood, reduce stress, and build community pride.”
The Nature Recovery Ranger role is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund through CSH’s Green Space for Health programme, which supports NHS sites across the country to expand access to nature, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen the wellbeing of everyone who uses hospital green spaces.
Learn more about the Nature Recovery Ranger programme or explore opportunities for corporate volunteering.