A new nature recovery ranger has been appointed to help transform green spaces at Tameside Hospital, improving biodiversity while supporting the health and wellbeing of patients, staff and visitors.
Matt Ross has taken up the specialist role and is working two days a week at the Ashton-under-Lyne hospital, where he will help create more nature-friendly environments and encourage people to make greater use of outdoor spaces for their physical and mental wellbeing.
The position is part of the NHS Forest/Healthy by Nature project, led by the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare and funded by the National Lottery. Nine nature recovery rangers have been placed across 10 NHS trusts nationwide as part of the initiative, which aims to improve green spaces for health, wellbeing and biodiversity.
The scheme is expected to benefit more than 86,000 community members by helping connect people with nature at NHS sites. The NHS Forest project has already planted more than 160,000 trees across hundreds of healthcare locations throughout the UK.
Alongside his work in Tameside, Mr Ross will spend two days a week at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport, supporting both Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust and Stockport NHS Foundation Trust.
The initiative reflects growing evidence that spending time in nature can reduce stress and anxiety and support a range of physical and mental health conditions. It also contributes to NHS efforts to tackle climate change, improve biodiversity and promote preventative healthcare.
Sarah Jordan, Green Space Director at the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare, said: “Nature is more than just a nice to have, our pilot project showed that bringing nature and healthcare together creates incredible benefits for everyone involved.
“Over 90 per cent of pilot participants reported improved wellbeing and told us that the programme made their area a better place to live.”
Since starting the role, Mr Ross has been working with estates and facilities teams to identify opportunities to increase biodiversity across hospital grounds. This includes reviewing hedge-trimming and mowing plans, running drop-in events and seed giveaways, and improving courtyard gardens.
The hospital site is also set to become more colourful following the planting of wildflowers around a new seating area funded by Tameside & Glossop NHS Charity.
Mr Ross brings extensive experience to the position, having spent nine years running an educational and community centre for the Peak District National Park Rangers. He has also operated his own health walk business and led social prescribing initiatives, including woodland wellbeing groups and nature prescription programmes in Derbyshire.
He said: “I’ve loved nature my whole life and have been fortunate to spend most of my career connecting people with it.