Tameside Hospital set for greener future with £24,900 wellbeing project

Tameside & Glossop NHS Charity has been awarded £24,900 to transform an underused green space at Tameside Hospital into an accessible, biodiverse area designed to support the wellbeing of NHS staff, patients and visitors.

The funding has been provided by NHS Charities Together as part of a £500,000 programme supporting green space improvements across the UK. The local project is one of just 15 NHS charity initiatives selected to receive funding.

The investment will help convert the hospital grounds into a welcoming outdoor environment that encourages relaxation, recovery and connection with nature.

Planned improvements include the installation of new tarmac pathways linking benches and key features, ensuring the space can be used safely by people with mobility issues and accessed throughout the year. A third accessible bench will also be added to create more seating areas for reflection, rest breaks and social connection.

The project will also enhance biodiversity through wildlife habitats and wildflower planting, creating a peaceful natural setting within the hospital grounds.

Emily Whelan, Charity Manager at Tameside & Glossop NHS Charity, said the funding would make a significant difference to the hospital environment.

She said: “We’re so pleased to be awarded this funding, which will enable us to transform an underused area of our hospital grounds into a welcoming green space that supports the wellbeing of our staff, patients and community.

“By improving accessibility, adding seating and enhancing biodiversity through wildlife habitats and wildflower planting, this project will create a peaceful place where people can rest, reflect and reconnect with nature.”

The funding comes as demand on the NHS continues to rise, with people living longer and often managing more complex health conditions. Organisations involved in the programme say community wellbeing initiatives are becoming increasingly important.

Research linked to the scheme shows that eight in ten people feel healthier and more energetic after spending time in nature. However, around one in five people in the UK still live in areas without easy access to green spaces.

Ellie Orton OBE, Chief Executive of NHS Charities Together, said expanding access to nature was vital for improving health and wellbeing.

She said: “Access to green spaces and the benefits that this brings to our health and wellbeing should not be something limited to a lucky few, but available to everyone across the UK no matter where they live.

“This latest round of funding, in partnership with Starbucks and Hubbub, will build on our achievements and learnings to date and enable even more NHS charities to create and enhance access to green spaces that support the physical and mental health of NHS staff, patients and local communities.”

The programme is delivered by NHS Charities Together in partnership with environmental charity Hubbub and Starbucks.

Gavin Ellis, director and co-founder of Hubbub, said the initiative could also have a positive impact on the environment.

He said: “This fund has potential to make a positive difference not just to people’s wellbeing, but also to the environment.

“As well as the direct environmental impact of more green spaces, studies have shown that spending time in nature makes people more likely to make environmentally friendly lifestyle choices.

“We are delighted to partner with local NHS charities to draw on their expertise in health and wellbeing and it is great to see them partnering with implementation partners who can provide expertise in greening projects to support project delivery.”

Phil Peacock, Loyalty, Partnerships and Digital Lead at Starbucks, added: “Starbucks is delighted to support the Greener Communities Fund.

“Green space can make a real difference for NHS staff, the patients they care for, and local communities across the UK, creating calm places for rest, recovery, and healthy lives. We’re proud to play a part in helping more of these spaces come to life.”