Aidan is the Nature Recovery Ranger at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for the Healthy by Nature project, which is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
I have had a lifelong passion for nature and nature connection. Through involvement in the environmental action movement in Ireland in the 1990s I developed a career as a woodland operative and contractor, specialising in native woodland restoration and continuous-cover forest management. The seasonal nature of woodland work allowed me to pursue other career interests during the growing season, and I have broad experience in the fields of sculpture and carpentry. My work in these areas led me into the film and TV industry as a set-builder.
I made the decision to return to nature-based work for quality of life and ethical reasons, after recognising the role nature has played in my own health journey. Most recently, I have been managing the gardeners in my local park as my way back to working in nature.
The Nature Recovery Ranger role excites me because it represents an opportunity to explore the crossover between subjects I have a passionate interest in: care for the environment and the relationship between nature and wellbeing.
My academic expertise is in the history and ecology of woodland management. The Bluebell Wood at Aintree Hospital will be my main focus. Caring for it and developing it as a health resource are my top priorities.
The woodland is full of pretty little places, so it would be hard to pick a favourite spot. Over the coming seasons I’m looking forward to autumn leaves, the golden light on winter mornings, spring flowers in the wood and bluebells too. At the moment, I’m enjoying the quiet moments in the wood at Aintree, learning more about green health and meeting more people with caring passions.
My first priority for the next year is to resolve a drainage issue which could adversely affect the woodland’s condition. In my first winter season I would like to carry out some light management works in the wood to improve its suitability for therapeutic activities.
I’m keen to foster use of the woodland as a community and therapeutic resource, and I would like to build the volunteer base at Aintree and develop a programme of activities with community partners. If you would like to get involved, email aidan.corcoran@sustainablehealthcare.org.uk