Climate change and its impact on human health are undeniable. At Community Health Partnerships (CHP), we believe that supporting nature and biodiversity is a crucial step towards addressing these challenges. Green spaces and biodiversity offer a powerful solution, not only mitigating climate change but also improving the health and wellbeing for building users and local communities.
The CHP Green Plan A Greener CHP a Greener NHS outlines our collaborative efforts with our tenants, LIFTCos, NHS Trusts, Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), and suppliers to support the NHS’s goal of becoming the world’s first net zero healthcare system. Recognising the significant contribution of healthcare estates and facilities to the NHS’s carbon footprint (approximately 15%), we are committed to working together on carbon reduction strategies, sustainability initiatives, and biodiversity enhancement.
By fostering biodiversity around our healthcare buildings, we not only contribute to environmental sustainability, but also improve patient care, staff and patient wellbeing, and public health through a stronger connection with nature and improved air quality.
CHP’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond carbon reduction. By incorporating biodiversity around our healthcare facilities, CHP are not just creating green spaces, we are investing in a healthier future for our patients, staff, and communities. By improving air quality, reducing heat-related risks, and providing opportunities for connection with nature we are creating a more supportive healthcare environment.
CHP Funding for Biodiversity Projects for 2024/25
In 2024/25 the CHP Sustainability team has been able to support several green projects at our healthcare facilities. Our Operations and Relationship Managers (ORMs) facilitate and support biodiversity projects working with LIFTCos and tenants to enhance biodiversity, providing benefits for patients, staff, volunteers, and the environment.
Climate change and its impact on human health are undeniable. Enhancing nature, increasing natural habitats, and biodiversity is a crucial step towards addressing climate change and environmental degradation. Green spaces and biodiversity offer a powerful solution, not only mitigating climate change but also improving the health and wellbeing of our communities.
CHP has ongoing green projects with the One Partnership team (www.one-partnership.co.uk) which are using its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) funds. One Partnership provides primary and community health estate across Wigan, Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, Lancashire and Bolton via three LIFTCos Bolton, Rochdale, Heywood and Middleton (BRaHM), East Lancashire Building Partnership Ltd, and Foundation for Life Ltd.
2024/25 projects so far include:
- Chandler House Health Centre, Wigan
The community garden project originates from Give it a Grow Wigan‘s mission to enhance biodiversity in Wigan’s urban areas (www.giveitagrowwigan.co.uk). Established in 2021, the group collaborates with residents, community organisations, and Wigan Council to transform green spaces into thriving ecosystems. The community garden at Chandler House welcomes residents who wish to lend a helping hand or provide a space for visitors to relax and enjoy the garden.
Accessibility is a key feature of the project. Raised flower planters have been installed, allowing wheelchair users to participate in the gardening activities.
This community-driven project is flourishing thanks to support from One Partnership and CHP. One Partnership funding provided a large water butt and benches while CHP contributed towards the soil for the flower beds and purchased seeds.
- Briercliffe Road Medical Centre, Burnley
The Practice Manager at Briercliffe Medical Centre requested a bench for staff to use. The picnic bench will provide staff with a tranquil, outside space to sit and enjoy their breaks. The black picnic table and bench will be in the garden of the health centre.
The birdbox and a hedgehog house installed in 2023 along with the wildflower meadow, have provided wildlife with a new, much-needed habitat to enjoy, providing shelter and food. CHP paid for the picnic table and seating.
- St Peters Health Centre, Burnley
Currently, staff have no outside space to enjoy a break, so our Operations and Relationship Manager (ORM) requested that an area of gravel, dead plants, and rubbish be transformed into an enjoyable space for staff. Four wooden planters and plants, a colourful six-seater picnic bench and a table, with newly laid gravel will transform the dull and drab space, providing usable space for staff to enjoy. CHP paid for the picnic bench and the four planters.
- Yarnspinners Primary Health Care Centre, Nelson
One Partnership has provided two planters and plants for the seating area at the back of the health centre. Additional gravel, planters and plants will contribute to making the same space more enjoyable to use. The transformation will benefit staff and patients using the health centre, providing a quiet area to sit and enjoy. One Partnership bought two planters and CHP bought two movable planters.
- Accrington Pals Primary Health Care Centre
Staff at the health centre had requested planters and plants to make the roof terrace a more enjoyable space to use. The two new planters and plants will make the space more attractive and enjoyable space while providing a space for wildlife. CHP provided two movable planters, soil and plants.
One Partnership has also provided a memorial bench for the roof terrace, to remember two staff members at the centre who died from cancer, with a memorial service held in March 2024.
Our ORM at Accrington Pals painted two existing benches, as part of their CHP volunteering hours, with paint provided by One Partnership.
There is also a birdbox in the garden around the health centre, donated by One Partnership and installed by Eric Wright FM.
- Darwen Health Centre
CHP purchased two planters, soil and plands that will will be added to the outside staff area on the second floor of the building. This will improve the look and feel of the environment, encouraging staff to use the area when on breaks. Tenants have agreed to undertake the upkeep of the planters.
There are other sustainability projects across the CHP property portfolio at the planning stage, so we will share more news and updates later in 2024/25.
CHP Green Spaces for a Greener and Healthier Future
CHP has supported many gardening projects across our buildings, including raised beds, courtyard gardens, vegetable and fruit growing, and wildflower meadows. These initiatives not only enhance the environment but also foster community engagement and support social prescribing activities.
CHP is committed to incorporating biodiversity into our healthcare facilities. By creating green spaces and promoting biodiversity, we are:
- Taking Climate Action: Trees, plants, and ecosystems function as natural carbon sinks, absorbing excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and helping to combat climate change.
- Supporting Pollinators: Providing habitats for bees, butterflies, and other essential pollinators.
- Enhancing Air Quality: Improving the air quality within and around our healthcare buildings. Plants purify the air by removing pollutants, leading to healthier breathing for patients and staff.
- Promoting Mental and Physical Health: Offering patients and staff opportunities to connect with nature and improve their well-being.
- Supporting Temperature Regulation: Green spaces can help to cool urban areas, reducing heat-related health risks.
- Aligning with NHS Carbon Net Zero Goals: Contributing to the Greener NHS initiatives to combat climate change (www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs).
Social Prescribing supporting Green Spaces and Communities
What is Social Prescribing?
Social prescribing is a healthcare approach that involves connecting patients with non-medical resources to improve their overall health and well-being. It recognises that health is influenced by a range of social, economic, and environmental factors. Volunteer gardening provides a valuable opportunity for patients to engage in physical activity, connect with nature, and build a sense of community.
Community Health Partnerships supports many social prescribing initiatives at our healthcare sites as part of CHP’s Buildings at the Heart of the Community initiative.
How CHP tenants can get involved
CHP needs your ideas to promote biodiversity
Have you got ideas or suggestions for gardens, planters and increasing green space at your site? Speak to your ORM and get in touch and let us know.
Please email the description and photos to sustainability@communityhealthpartnerships and copy in your ORM.
Contact the Sustainability Team at CHP
If you are a tenant, an ICS or Trust partner, and want to know more about how CHP can support your sustainability plans, please contact your local CHP Property and Operations team or our CHP Sustainability team.
If any tenants have questions about Sustainability at CHP, our Green plan or any other net zero project please contact the Sustainability team via sustainability@communityhealthpartnerships.co.uk and copy in the ORM for your building.
Sustainability at CHP
As part of the NHS family, CHP supports the NHS ambition to deliver the world’s first net zero health system. Sustainable Facilities are one of our five strategic aims and Sustainability is one of our four corporate social responsibility pillars. Aligning with the NHS target of achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2040, the team at CHP are committed to achieve Net Zero Carbon for the LIFT estate by 2040 and 2030 for our corporate functions.
Recent Garden Projects at CHP Buildings
CHP Tenant Hub
The hub covers information for CHP tenants on health and safety, sustainability, facilities management including HardFM, and SoftFM, leases, charges and billing.
In addition there is information on bookable rooms and filming at our premises.
