Planting for the future: UHCW teams create a greener space for local children

A simple idea rooted in care for both people and the planet saw staff at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust join forces with a nearby nursery to plant new trees.

Sixty young saplings, provided through the NHS Forest – of which UHCW is a member – were planted on the grass verge next to Busy Bees Nursery, creating a greener, healthier space for children, staff and parents.

With spades in hand and smiles all round, the planting became a true team effort with nursery children encouraged to get involved and watch their surroundings grow greener over time.

Liz Fitzhugh, UHCW Clinical Lead Net Zero, said: “Trees are important to the environment, they help clean the air and provide shade in the summer.

“The NHS Forest has guardianship of the trees and we look after them for their lifetime. We send in photos and reports so they can see how they are doing.

“We’ve had a lovely time and the children from the nursery all got involved. It was great to see lots of future gardeners.”

The idea came from UHCW Quality Systems Officer David Salt, who added: “With my daughter attending Busy Bees Nursery at University Hospital for the past couple of years, I became aware of how close the nearby cars were.

“I wondered what we could do to help reduce pollution and create a greener, healthier boundary for the children.”

Field Maple, Goat Willow and Sliver Birch, which is highly effective at reducing air pollution, were the types of trees planted.