A new nature ranger has joined Tameside Hospital to help transform its gardens, lawns and green spaces into more nature-friendly areas for patients, visitors and staff.
Nature recovery ranger Matt Ross is now working two days a week at the hospital as part of the NHS Forest and Healthy by Nature project, helping to improve biodiversity across the site while encouraging people to access green spaces to support their physical and mental wellbeing.
The project, led by The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare (CSH) and funded by the National Lottery, has placed nine rangers across 10 NHS Trusts around the country.
The initiative aims to support healthcare sites in creating greener environments for health, wellbeing and wildlife, with the project expected to benefit more than 86,000 community members by helping people connect with nature in NHS settings.
Matt will also spend two days a week at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport, working with both Stockport NHS Foundation Trust and Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.
Since starting in the role, Matt has been working with estates and facilities teams to identify opportunities to increase biodiversity across hospital sites, including reviewing hedge trimming and mowing plans to create more nature areas.
He has also held drop-in events, organised seed giveaways and started improving courtyard garden spaces. Wildflowers have been planted around a new seating area at Tameside Hospital, funded by Tameside & Glossop NHS Charity, which will bring more colour to the site.
The role builds on Matt’s previous experience, having spent nine years running an educational and community centre for the Peak District National Park Rangers, as well as running a health walk business.
His previous work included leading social prescription ‘woodland wellbeing’ groups and delivering Nature Prescriptions programmes in Derbyshire.
Research has shown that spending time in nature can help reduce stress and anxiety while supporting physical and mental health. The project also contributes to the NHS commitment to tackling climate change and improving biodiversity.
Sarah Jordan, Green Space Director at the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare, said the pilot project showed the benefits of bringing nature and healthcare together, with more than 90 per cent of participants reporting improved wellbeing.
Matt said he was looking forward to helping more people experience the benefits of nature while making lasting improvements across the hospital sites.
He added: “I’ve loved nature my whole life and have been fortunate to spend most of my career connecting people with it.
“Time and time again, I have seen the health wellbeing benefits that can be unlocked with people spending time in nature, and it’s great to be bringing that to people in the hospital services in Tameside and Stockport, whether that’s patients, visitors or staff.
“I’m really looking forward to working with colleagues and making real and lasting improvements soon.”