We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve welcomed three new Nature Recovery Rangers to our team this month. Based at hospital sites around the country, the rangers are working on green space projects to support biodiversity and encourage patients, staff and the wider community to connect with nature to improve their physical and mental health and wellbeing.
Naomi Paine is our new ranger at Homerton University Hospital in East London. Through holding workshops and other events, she is building connections within the hospital and in the wider community in order to develop plans for improvements to green infrastructure.
With a Masters in Plant Diversity, Naomi has worked extensively in botanical horticulture, nature engagement, and greening urban spaces, with roles at Kew Gardens, Logan Botanic Gardens, and the Trentham Estate. Her previous position was as Biodiversity Lead for a London-wide community green space network, and her interest in sustainable food growing has seen her working on agroforestry projects in Indonesia and Japan.
Sally Johnson is working with the Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, across the Freeman and Royal Victoria Infirmary sites. Her first focus is expanding the existing Green Gym programme, which engages hospital staff with local conservation initiatives, and building opportunities for Green Social Prescribing.
Sally has a background in conservation and a Masters in Wildlife Management, which has empowered her to work with local communities to conserve and connect with wildlife, in urban and rural settings. Previously, she worked with Northumberland Wildlife Trust as a conservation assistant based in Kielder.
Nick White is embedded with the Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, working across Broadgreen, Aintree and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital sites. Our newest recruit, having only been in post for a week, he has dived straight into various projects across his sites including rejuvenating a therapeutic garden and working with woodland volunteers.
Nick joins us with over 25 years’ experience in countryside management and community engagement. He’s worked at both a strategic and operational level, leading nature conservation and community engagement projects across urban parks, hospital grounds, countryside sites and woodlands, including two SSI Nature Reserves.
Naomi, Sally and Nick join our existing Nature Recovery Rangers at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, in northwest London, and at Southmead Hospital in Bristol.
If you would like information on our Nature Recovery Ranger programme, please get in touch with Emma Edwards, our Green Space for Health Ranger Manager: emma.edwards@sustainablehealthcare.org.uk