Carlisle Healthcare Medical Centre South joined the NHS Forest in 2025. They are developing the area around the medical centre to be welcoming, relaxing, sustainable for the patients, staff and local wildlife. They have engagement with the Barnardo’s link workers and the children they support and the local Brownie group. They have ongoing support from Cumbria Wildlife and Groundworks, as well as input from Incredible Edible. They have planted a small kitchen garden area for staff and patients to help themselves to the items grown. The children supported by Barnardo’s came along and built a large Bug Snug out of pallets and foraged stick, leaves and grasses.
They have planted flowering areas to attract the pollinators and put up bird boxes and feeding stations to support their feathered friends. They have sourced most of the above from recycling sites and donations as all done on a very small budget. They are planning on installing a wet area to attract more diverse wildlife. They are trying to engage patients in getting involved with the upkeep of the area to support good mental health.