Research from the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare shows gardens and other green spaces at hospital sites have an important role to play in supporting staff wellbeing. Our year-long study, "Space to Breathe", focuses on three NHS sites that have taken steps to encourage staff to relax and recharge in green space.
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.
The UK 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.
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.
Ecosia launches #GrowYourLove campaign to plant trees dedicated to NHS key workers in and around UK hospitals.
To help UK users show their appreciation for the incredible efforts of NHS key workers, the green search engine is partnering with the NHS Forest and Trees for Cities to launch #GrowYourLove, a long-term, forward-looking initiative to plant trees in and surrounding hospitals in the UK.
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. Thousands of fundraising events have had to be cancelled during the pandemic, with a loss of billions of pounds in funding for charity across the country. The 2.6 Challenge was inspired by the cancellation of the London Marathon, which is 26 miles long and would have taken place on 26 April 2020.
As part of the current lockdown, the UK 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.
The Great Outdoor Gym Company (TGO) has generously sponsored 700 new trees to be planted at our NHS Forest sites - including a hospital in Liverpool, Bethlem Royal Hospital in Southeast London and Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor. The donation helps mark NHS Sustainability Day - Thursday 19 March 2020.
One who plants a garden plants happiness, goes the Chinese proverb, and many people recognise how being in the garden lifts spirits and makes us happier and healthier.
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust has now made enjoyment of nature and outdoor activities an intentional part of its approach to patient care and staff wellbeing. A number of projects are improving in-patient gardens in mental health and community hospitals, increasing the diversity of the landscapes on trust sites and developing local community services.
Hospital Estates Departments with experience of Sustainable Drainage Systems are invited to share their experience in a new study. The Greater London Authority is working with the Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) to develop good practice guidance on the better management of rainwater for buildings and their surrounding estates. Sustainable drainage comes in many forms, from rain gardens, swales and wetlands to permeable pavements. The guidance will showcase what can be achieved, highlight the benefits and offer practical advice.
