Latest News

New research shows value of NHS green space for staff wellbeing
Published by andriele on Mon, 2020-10-12 11:21

New research shows gardens and other green spaces at hospital sites have an important role to play in supporting staff wellbeing. Our year-long study focused on three NHS sites that had taken steps to encourage their staff to relax and recharge in green space. Staff stress has long been a critical issue for the NHS, where in 2019 more than four in 10 staff reported feeling unwell as a result of work-related stress in the last 12 months. These problems have been greatly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, making staff wellbeing a greater priority now than ever.
Related file:
Space to Breathe Summary.pdf
Space to Breathe Full Report .pdf
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A Covid-19 recovery strategy: Using green prescribing for health
Published by andriele on Mon, 2020-08-24 16:47

To help the UK reduce future pressures on the NHS and recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, the government has announced a two-year green prescribing pilot which will be established at four rural and urban locations. The £4 million green prescribing strategy is led by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and will focus on areas hit the hardest by Covid-19. The government also announced plans to scale up the project to other locations.
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The England Tree Strategy Consultation is open: Help shape the future of trees in England!
Published by andriele on Tue, 2020-07-07 17:57

The government has launched a consultation to guide development of the England Tree Strategy, due to be published by the end of 2020. The strategy will establish plans for the expansion and management of trees and woodland in England through to 2050.
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Magnificent Meadows Wales
Published by carey.newson on Fri, 2020-07-03 13:21

We’re thrilled to be working with Plantlife and the National Trust on Gweirgloddiau Gwych Cymru: Magnificent Meadows Wales to create mini-meadows and 'meadow health routes’ that connect people to meadows and species-rich grassland. The project will draw on the experience of our Green Health Routes programme, which co-designs mapped neighbourhood walking trails for groups and individuals to enjoy their local green spaces.
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Green space and health day CSH's Sustainability School
Published by sarah on Mon, 2020-06-22 14:54

Green space contributes to prevention through increasing physical and mental wellbeing and offers people therapeutic benefits for recovery from illness. Research from around the world demonstrates that a 'Green Prescription' can deliver physical and mental health benefits for patients and this is increasingly being used by healthcare professionals.
Link:
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Ecosia- mental health awareness week #growyourlove
Published by sarah on Wed, 2020-05-20 13:43

This week Ecosia is supporting mental health awareness week and are keen to promote experiences of nature from our front line key workers. If you have 5 minutes we would love to hear from you, please could you send your responses to info@nhsforest.org
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Ecosia Launch #growyourlove campaign planting trees in NHS Forest
Published by sarah on Tue, 2020-05-12 13:33

Ecosia launches #GrowYourLove campaign to plant trees dedicated to NHS key workers in and around UK hospitals. Green search engine partners with UK charities The NHS Forest and Trees for Cities

To help UK users show their appreciation for the incredible efforts of NHS key workers, Ecosia, The NHS Forest is partnering with Ecosia to launch #GrowYourLove, a long-term, forward-looking initiative to plant trees in and surrounding hospitals in the UK.
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The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare has joined the 2.6 Challenge
Published by sarah on Mon, 2020-05-04 17:23

The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare (CSH) has joined the 2.6 Challenge, a nationwide fundraising campaign launched in response to COVID-19 to save the UK's Charities.

Any funds raised by CSH is being used to buy trees to plant at our 190+ NHS Forest sites across the UK. These will enhance natural outdoor spaces at hospitals and health centres, allowing people to enjoy green space at NHS sites for therapy, rehabilitation and relaxation.
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Coronavirus lockdown: we need nature now more than ever before
Published by andriele on Fri, 2020-04-24 12:01

As part of the current lockdown, the government has advised us not to leave our houses for things other than getting food, health reasons or work (if you cannot work from home). In addition to this, those of us who are not self-isolating are able to enjoy a daily form of exercise outdoors.
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Great Outdoor Gym sponsors 700 trees at NHS Forest sites
Published by carey.newson on Thu, 2020-03-19 11:15

We're delighted that the Great Outdoor Gym Company has generously sponsored 700 new trees to be planted at our NHS Forest sites - including Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, Bethlem Royal Hospital in South East London and Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor. The donation helps mark NHS Sustainability Day - Thursday 19 March 2020.
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