Caring for our green spaces
New wildlife habitats are helping turn green spaces at our sites into thriving homes for local wildlife.
Hedgehog houses, bug hotels and bird boxes have been installed in the outdoor spaces at Tonbridge Cottage Hospital, Hawkhurst Community Hospital and Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital in Herne Bay, as part of a push to boost biodiversity across NHS properties.
The NHS Green Plan highlights the role green spaces and biodiversity play in improving patient recovery and supporting colleague wellbeing.
But it’s not all about the wildlife, research shows bringing natural environments into healthcare settings can improve health outcomes and reduce hospital stays.
Finn Nightingale, Sustainability Lead at KCHFT, said: “We hope the habitats will give wildlife a place to thrive and turn hospital grounds into peaceful, feel-good spaces. Green areas full of life help reduce stress, lift your mood and even support recovery. Whether you're a patient, a visitor, or a colleague on a break, spending time in nature can do wonders.”
Before installing the new habitats, KCHFT consulted with Kent Wildlife Trust to explore the benefits of encouraging wildlife activity to our outdoor spaces.
Finn said: “By promoting a healthy ecosystem, we expect there to be a positive knock-on effect for the health of our local community,” Finn added. “As well as the mental health benefits, encouraging a mix of wildlife helps ecosystems function smoothly. Pollinators help plants reproduce, birds control pests and decomposers enrich the soil.”
The new wildlife habitats have been made possible thanks to contributions from colleagues and KCHFT’s charity i care, which helps to provide services or items that will enhance patient care and boost patient and colleagues’ morale.
Fresh from the garden
The outdoor space at Hawkhurst Community Hospital is much more than a place for patients and visitors to take a stroll in, since being transformed into our first kitchen garden.
The catering team plants, harvests and prepares fresh produce for people being cared for and working in the hospital. The award-winning garden has produced more than a quarter of a tonne of fruit and vegetables for patients and staff. With fewer food deliveries needed, the garden’s farm-to-plate journey has saved about 104kg of CO² emissions, which is equivalent to 606 miles in a car.
Gloria's garden glow
Patients at Hawkhurst Community Hospital have been taking part in gardening activities, as a way to connect with nature and enjoy the outdoors.
Therapeutic Worker, Saugata Chaulya, said: "Gardening is more than a pastime, it stimulates the mind, eases anxiety and plays a valuable role in recovery and overall wellbeing. When well enough, we encourage patients to spend time in the garden, sitting and watching the world go by or tending to our yield in the specially made
accessible raised beds.”
Being able to spend time tending to the plants has brought 82-year-old patient Gloria great comfort. She finds happiness in the hospital’s day room, where she admires the view of the garden and lovingly plants marigolds in
small hanging pots.
“I love the garden here so much, it’s so spacious,” Gloria said.
Seeds of a healthy future
In partnership with the NHS Forest project, Silver Birch tree seedlings have been planted in the grounds of Victoria Hospital in Deal. Once matured, these trees will offer shaded areas for patients and colleagues to enjoy peaceful moments outdoors.
Meanwhile, the hospital’s beach-themed garden brings a touch of the seaside to patients like Irene Hawksbee, who misses her garden at home in Birchington while recovering from a fractured pelvis.
Ninety-five-year-old Irene said: “I’m not one to sit around. I like to do my own cleaning and gardening, so I’m looking forward to getting home.”
Funds for the garden were donated by KCHFT’s charity i care, the hospital’s League of Friends and more than 20 local sponsors.
You can help to improve the lives of our patients and NHS staff by by donating to, or fundraising for, our charity i care.
