Always on
This project successfully funded on 7th April 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
The NHS Forest Project - Sponsor Tree Planting
Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Aim
Planting trees and meadows on unused land at health and social care sites across the UK to develop green spaces for nature and communities.
Did you know that unused NHS land could provide space to plant thousands of trees?
The NHS owns around 6,500 hectares of land just in England alone – an area nearly twice the size of Blackpool. This land is covered with underutilised green spaces from neglected patches of grass to woodlands in need of love and attention. Our NHS Forest programme transforms this undeveloped land into flourishing green spaces by planting trees, hedgerows and wildflower meadows as well as supporting the conservation and management of these sites. Our projects create both vital habitats for some of the UK’s 1,500 wildlife species which are currently facing extinction as well as green spaces to connect people with the health benefits of spending time in nature.
Transforming land into flourishing green spaces
Since 2009, our NHS Forest programme has transformed unused land at hundreds of health and social care sites into valuable green spaces by planting over 150,000 trees, hedgerows, wildflower meadows and raised beds as well as providing bat boxes, bird boxes and more. Our work has already helped restore biodiversity and conserve rare species including the hazel dormouse and red squirrel. With enough unused land to potentially plant thousands more trees, we still have a lot of work to do!
Creating resilient habitats
Our approach to tree planting is designed to create resilient green spaces that support wildlife and enrich landscapes. By selecting tree species best suited to local conditions and promoting planting best-practice, our Trees for Healthcare bundles help to establish woodlands, hedgerows and wildlife-friendly habitats that benefit both people and nature. Our planting work – including innovative techniques such as the Miyawaki method – enhances biodiversity and contributes to accessible, health-promoting green space even in the most constrained urban environments.
Supporting healthcare sustainability
As well as creating vital habitats for our wildlife, the green spaces we create are beneficial for healthcare staff, patients and their families (Space to Breathe: Study shows value of NHS green space for staff wellbeing - NHS Forest). For example, a view of trees helps people to get better quicker and reduces the need for painkillers, saving the NHS money and getting people back home. Our NHS Forest programme also supports green social prescribing through encouraging people to engage in nature-based interventions and activities. There is strong evidence that this can improve mental and physical health.
Improving access to nature for the most deprived communities
Promoting access to nature also helps drive a shift towards preventative, community-based healthcare, reducing pressure on the NHS and improving healthcare sustainability. Analysis completed by Nature for Health in Greater Manchester found green health initiatives delivered healthcare cost savings of £44,745 and that every £1 invested in green space projects delivers up to £0.93 of additional benefit in terms of reduced costs to the NHS. We prioritise areas where tree cover is low for our green spaces and planting projects, providing much needed habitats and access to nature for communities in deprived areas.
Nature Recovery Rangers – Supporting biodiversity improvement
We also have a team of Nature Recovery Rangers who work to support and monitor the hugely diverse flora and fauna at our green space sites. Our Rangers measure biodiversity through a range of activities including nectar counts, butterfly surveys and sand-trapping to record details of wildlife species using our sites. We also provide ongoing support to healthcare landowners, including provision of advice and site assessments to ensure effective management and conservation of the habitats we create.
We need your support today to help us continue this work – Plant a tree for £10
We are aiming to raise funding of £60,000 to continue our vital work providing green spaces for communities and creating habitats that support pollinators, birds and small mammals, increasing ecological resilience in the face of climate change. Every tree planted and every meadow restored will contribute to reversing the decline of species, reducing air pollution and improving local microclimates.
Please help us achieve this goal today by sponsoring a tree, wildflower meadow or community orchard for as little as £10. Your donation will also contribute to the NHS Forest network and materials to support the work of our Nature Recovery Rangers, allowing us to continue supporting NHS sites across the UK in maximising their green spaces and helping patients, staff and communities to access the health benefits.
All donations will be match funded by Aviva, doubling the impact.
What your donation will fund:
£10 could be used to plant and protect a tree sapling, providing cleaner air and improved biodiversity. This includes the cost of the tree, biodegradable stake and guard, and delivery.
£25 could help to create a small wildflower meadow, bringing colour and creating a haven for pollinators.
£50 could provide bird or bat box kits, helping to create habitats for wildlife.
£100 could fund a wooden bench, offering patients, staff, and visitors a peaceful spot to appreciate the surrounding green space, or to commemorate a loved one.
£250 could provide materials for a raised bed to grow wildflowers, sensory or edible plants, supporting biodiversity and enrichment for patients and staff.
£500 could plant a small orchard on a healthcare site helping to create habitats for plants and animals.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made