Increasing biodiversity and staff connection to nature at Furness General Hospital Phase 2
Project overview
A mini nature reserve is being created on the grounds of Furness General Hospital to support local wildlife and encourage biodiversity. The project also aims to provide staff, patients and visitors with access to a natural space, helping them to connect with nature and support their health and wellbeing.
Project details
Furness General Hospital, part of University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, provides a wide range of services including accident and emergency, maternity care, critical care, outpatients, diagnostics and surgery. An acute mental health inpatient unit is also based on site, delivered by Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust.
The nature reserve project is being delivered in partnership with estates and facilities teams, including colleagues from One Lancashire and South Cumbria Together, who oversee non-clinical services across the Trust.
In March 2025, 250 trees were planted in the designated nature reserve area through the NHS Forest scheme. The planting was supported by hospital staff, Furness College interns, Well Communities volunteers and Natural England staff.
Further volunteer activity took place in October, where teams:
- Checked and maintained the newly planted trees, removing damaged stock and clearing grass from protective tubes
- Created a rough walking route through the reserve by clearing brambles and scrub
- Installed natural features including a log seating area
- Carried out litter picking and general maintenance
The reserve now includes a developing meadow, areas of scrub and woodland, and a water feature, connected by a simple walking route.
Project partners
- University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust
- One Lancashire and South Cumbria Together
- Natural England
- The Well Communities
- Morecambe Bay Hospital Charity
Natural England’s role
Natural England supported the project by organising volunteer days, including coordinating logistics, providing equipment, completing risk assessments and recruiting volunteers. They also delivered on-site coordination to ensure activities were carried out safely.
Communications support was provided through promotional materials shared via the hospital’s internal channels.
Outcomes and learning
The project has helped to establish positive working relationships between partners and the hospital team. There is growing engagement across the site, including support from the on-site gardener and wider estates teams.
Discussions are ongoing with partners such as Active Cumbria and NHS Forest to explore opportunities for improved, accessible pathways within the reserve.
Volunteer days have also provided an opportunity for staff from different organisations to collaborate and better understand the project’s impact.
Impact
Furness General Hospital benefits from having significant areas of undeveloped land, including species-rich meadow, scrub and rough grassland. Increasing awareness and access to these spaces is helping staff, patients and visitors to engage with nature on their doorstep.
The project is supporting improved health and wellbeing through connection to nature, while also enhancing biodiversity across the site. Engagement and recognition of the project within the hospital community continues to grow.