Woodland regeneration at Queen's Hospital Burton transforms Badger's Wood into a thriving green space for patients, staff and local community
An area of woodland at Queen’s Hospital Burton (QHB) is now fully accessible to patients, staff and the local community following a regeneration project bringing several health and environmental benefits, funded by the National Forest and the Rural Community Council.
Known as Badger's Wood, the woodland area located behind the QHB facilities opposite the main hospital site, has now undergone extensive regeneration work to improve ecological diversity, increase accessibility, and provide a safe and welcoming environment for visitors - such removing overgrown trees and hazardous branches, as well levelling and securing what was often steep, slippery terrain.
Originally planted around 28 years ago, the area had become overgrown and unsafe after decades of neglect. In regenerating the area, the project has focused on making the woodland safe, open, and accessible, and a pleasant area for natural life. This work is part of a wider project led by the Sustainability Team at UHDB to enhance the health and wellbeing of patients, staff and the local community through better access to green space.
Natalie Roddis, Environment and Sustainability Officer at UHDB, said: "The wood was essentially forgotten about. It was overgrown, unsafe and completely inaccessible. Our goal has been to open it up and create a safe, welcoming space that can be used by the whole community."
To achieve this, the team developed a woodland management plan, funded by the National Forest grant, which guided the removal of around 93 tonnes of diseased ash trees affected by ash dieback - a fungal disease that causes trees to lose their leaves and branches before eventually dying.
Pathways have been widened and steps installed to make the site more accessible for those in our community who may have more limited mobility. The team also worked with local conservation groups to host forestry-based volunteering sessions, involving both staff and the community in the regeneration effort.
"It’s been a real team effort," said Natalie. "We’ve worked with the Burton Conservation Volunteers, as well as organisations like Mind, Natural England, the Royal Forestry Society and the Badger Trust to make this a truly community-focused project. Volunteers have helped by pruning and cutting trees and shrubs down to ground level to encourage new growth, and helped build steps to make the area easier to navigate."
The project reflects UHDB’s wider commitment to improving health outcomes in the community - and in this instance, through better access to green space. Research shows that regular exposure to green environments can significantly reduce stress and improve overall mental and physical health.
Natalie explained: "Green space is a massive asset for any community, especially in more deprived areas where access to nature is limited. Studies show that spending time in green environments can reduce psychological distress by up to 30% - improve cognitive development, and even lower the risk of depressive symptoms. By creating a safe and accessible woodland space, we are supporting the health of our community, outside of the hospital setting."
The improved woodland will support green social prescribing – a growing approach in healthcare that encourages people to engage with nature-based activities to improve health and wellbeing. The site will offer opportunities for activities such as forest bathing and walking groups, helping to reduce pressure on clinical services by addressing health issues earlier. "This project has wider implications for population health," said Natalie. "It gives us the opportunity to support people with long-term health conditions – from respiratory issues to mental health challenges – by providing a space where they can engage with nature and improve their overall wellbeing."
The success of the project has already gained national recognition. Badgers Wood was recently selected by the National Forest as a case study in good woodland management, with a film crew visiting the site to document the work taking place. "Being chosen as a case study by the National Forest is a huge honour," said Natalie. "It demonstrates that we’re not only improving the health of our patients and staff but also contributing positively to the local environment."
The regeneration of Badgers Wood has also inspired additional greening initiatives across the Trust. A recent bulb planting project, led by Claire Holloway (Patient Experience Facilitator, Philip Ward) and funded by Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity (DBHC), has introduced a range of flora around the main entrance to our Sir Robert Peel Community Hospital (SRP) site in Tamworth, to increase the visual appeal of the area while enhancing biodiversity.
Also at SRP, the Sustainability Team has planted ten fruit trees – including pear, plum and apple varieties – to create a small orchard. This not only increases the site’s ecological productivity but also opens up future opportunities for green social prescribing through activities such as pruning and fruit harvesting.
"The planting projects fit perfectly with our broader aim of increasing the quality of green space on site," said Natalie. "By creating more opportunities for people to engage with nature, we’re helping to support both physical and mental health while enhancing the overall patient and staff experience."
With the regeneration of Badger's Wood well underway and further planting projects enhancing the hospital grounds, UHDB is demonstrating a long-term commitment to sustainability and improving health outcomes through green space. "This is just the beginning," said Natalie. "We’ve got plans for accessible seating and more community-based events, so this space can continue to grow as a resource for health and wellbeing. It’s a unique asset for our Trust – not many hospitals have a woodland right on their doorstep – and we want to make the most of it for our staff, patients and the wider community."
You can also watch Natalie talk more about the Badger's Wood project through a recent video shared by the National Forest.