A view of nature helps people recover more quickly after surgery and reduces the need for painkillers. This spring we have launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £60,000 to support the planting of trees and wildflower meadows on healthcare sites across the UK.
We hope the crowdfunder will support us to expand the NHS Forest, our nationwide programme that helps healthcare sites create greener, more restorative outdoor spaces. With match funding pledged by Aviva, donations made between 17 February and 31 March could help plant up to 6,000 trees, as well as vibrant wildflower meadows, on NHS land.
Research from Brighton and Sussex Medical School and Brighton and Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust has found that simply having a view of nature can significantly reduce how long patients stay in hospital — with each increase in “nature visibility” linked to an 8.7% shorter inpatient stay. That means faster recovery, fewer painkillers, and reduced pressure on NHS services.
The NHS owns around 6,500 hectares of land in England alone, with a significant amount covered in underused green spaces. Planting these areas now means young trees will grow into calming, biodiverse environments over the coming years, boosting patient wellbeing, staff morale and local wildlife.
Sarah Jordan, CSH’s Green Space for Health Director, says: “Nature helps patients recover during the most stressful periods of their lives. This campaign will create green spaces where they’re needed most – right outside patients’ windows.”
Anyone can support the campaign, with donations starting from £10 to plant a tree or help sow wildflower seeds. Find out more and contribute on the Crowdfunder site.
How to help us raise money
Would you like to help us raise money for the NHS Forest crowdfunder, but don’t know where to start? From physical challenges to workplace activities, try one of these ideas!
- Sponsored move. Walk, cycle, swim or run on a local nature trail, park or healthcare green space. This is the one we’re doing at CSH.
- Cycle challenge. A perfect excuse for a group ride.
- Gardening or litter-pick day. Organise a green community action day with requests for donations or food and drink sales.
- Quiz night. Book a community hall and find a budding quizmaster. Food and drink sales can also help raise money.
- Bake sale or cake competition. A tried and tested way to raise money.
- Charity cook-off. Organise a cooking competition and invite people to donate to eat the delicious entries.
- Dress down or themed dress-up day. Mufti days or sponsored dressing up.
- Step count challenge. Run a competition between teams or departments with a small entrance fee or sponsorship to raise money.
- Plant sale. Ask for people to donate unwanted plants or cuttings and arrange a plant sale.
- Sponsored digital detox day. How long can you go without social media or your phone apps?
Banner image: Simon Thurlow Photography