As part of our commitment to the NHS Forest network, hundreds of trees have been planted at the Leicester General Hospital to improve the environment and create positive spaces at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.
The initiative is part of a wider commitment to enhance biodiversity, promote wellbeing, and create green spaces that benefit patients, their families, and staff members.
A community tree planting day was held on Friday 7 March as part of the UHL’s commitment to the NHS Forest network, with support from partners Hastings Direct and Stepnell.
The community event, which was part of three-day programme of planting, saw more than 45 people, including volunteers from Project Search, picking up spades, and supporting the project with a total of 550 trees planted.
Associate Director of Sustainability and Waste at UHL, Samantha Stanhope, said: “We are focused on providing nature-positive spaces that not only improve the environment around our hospitals but also the mental and physical wellbeing of everyone who comes to our hospitals.
“The trees form part of our larger green plan and are an important step towards offsetting our carbon footprint.”
The tree planting at the Leicester General Hospital builds on the success of the Secret Garden at the Glenfield Hospital, which had already been part of the NHS Forest network.
Samantha Stanhope added: “We expect to plant 1,860 trees the Leicester General Hospital, with 14 different species chosen for their ability to support local wildlife and enhance green spaces. A nature-positive health service is vital for building stronger, healthier, and more sustainable communities.”
With funding secured from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the NHS Forest network provided expertise in selecting the right trees to ensure that the planting supported biodiversity while creating habitats for wildlife and sustainable social spaces for people.