Since 2019, NHSPS has delivered 100 hubs and gardens, in an effort to promote community wellbeing and connectivity through nature-centric environments.
Over 6 tonnes of soft plastics (or 155,500 individual soft plastics) were donated by Tesco and transformed into Smartawood, said to be a 100% recyclable plastic lumber. This material is accredited by BBA with a life expectancy of 120 years, requires little maintenance and is designed not to rot or rust. NHSPS said this process resulted in approximately 15.5kg of CO2 savings.
John Scott Health Centre
The first beneficiary of this collaboration is John Scott Health Centre. The facility has had its green space revitalised to give areas for community engagement and social prescribing activities.
Further projects are planned at Maghull Health Centre, Merseyside, Goscote Hospice, Walsall, Shaw House, St Austell and Whitby Community Hospital.
John Scott Health Centre was once home to a bustling gardening group which lost its space to a pop-up vaccination centre during the pandemic. NHSPS has reinstated the garden area, utilising an area with decking and accessible picnic tables.
Doctor Min Rodriguez, head of social impact at NHSPS, said: “We are proud to see the continuous development of our social prescribing programme. This collaboration highlights the potential of innovative partnerships to not only create vibrant spaces for public benefit but also to drive positive change in healthcare and environmental sustainability. And it’s particularly especial that we are repurposing soft plastics instead of increasing waste.”
Tony McElroy, Tesco head of campaigns, added: “It’s fantastic to see the soft plastic that our customers are returning being turned into something new that will benefit communities and help give young people a stronger start in life. It’s still our absolute priority to remove and reduce as much plastic as possible and make sure everything we use is recycled and kept out of the environment.”
Adam Wylie, managing director, commercial, at Veolia, said: “Utilising recycled materials in green spaces and collaborating across private and public bodies to deliver these social prescribing gardens is a testament to how we can and must all work together to deliver ecological transformation.”
Derelict space to community haven
Dr Mareeni Raymond, GP Principal, said: “We have been so pleased to support patients through social prescribing and volunteer-led community activities including meditation, exercise and now, a patient and staff gardening group.
“Watching a derelict wasted space become transformed into a haven of flowers and edible plants has been positive for our team and we look forward to nurturing the space, connecting communities and enjoying home grown plant-based food as part of our continuing journey as a practice.”
Graham Duxbury, Groundwork’s UK chief executive, said: “This is a great example of innovative thinking to minimise plastic waste while improving much needed open spaces in local communities. We’re proud to be playing our part in delivering this project with the sustainable design expertise and nature-based solutions brought by our Landscape Architects, and look forward to seeing the benefits it brings to communities and the environment.”
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