RIE Nature Ranger – Winter Round Up

Now the shortest days are behind us, the Bioquarter is buzzing with early signs of spring, with hazel catkins appearing and bird activity picking up across the site. We’re looking forward to seeing spring bulbs start to peek through for a beautiful display in March.

Our Nature Ranger, Lou, has also been helping staff reconnect with the outdoors throughout the winter months, through seasonal creative sessions and nature based activities.

Festive Wellbeing Activities and Tailored Support

Lou’s festive wreath making sessions brought staff together for a welcome creative break, with bespoke wellbeing activities for teams who couldn’t easily join group sessions. As part of this, Lou has also been co creating and trialling nature boxes with Allied Health Professionals to enhance their therapeutic work on the wards, offering another meaningful way to bring nature into daily care. These shorter, workplace adjacent activities remain a popular way for teams to relax and connect with nature.

Connecting Young Patients With Nature

Working alongside the Renal Young Adult Support Worker, Lou created simple nature based activities designed to offer moments of calm and connection for young patients at the RIE.

Transforming Outdoor Spaces

With support from NHS Lothian Estates and corporate volunteers, Lou has also been busy revitalising planting beds around the RIE, DCN and RHCYP. Grass beds in Hospital Square have been cleared and replanted to create more seasonal interest and better habitats for wildlife.

Across the site, 15,000 spring bulbs have been also planted, promising a vibrant, pollinator friendly display in the months ahead.

A Growing Hub for Staff Wellbeing

The recently created staff wellbeing courtyard continues to flourish. Whether dropping in for a quiet moment, joining a planned activity, or simply enjoying a breath of fresh air and a chat over a cup of tea, staff are making the most of this relaxing space.

Over the winter months, Lou has been busy planning an exciting programme for the year ahead. Working with the Work Well team, she’s developing a new series of drop in sessions to help colleagues make the most of the courtyard throughout the seasons. And returning for 2026… the much loved windowsill growing workshops are back.

Chilli Challenge 2026

Excitement is already building for this year’s Chilli Challenge. A total of 172 staff growers from clinical services to administrative and portering teams have signed up, with nine teams embracing a competitive spirit, with others keen to take time out at home to nurture, grow and coax their plant. Growing kits will be distributed in early March, and Lou will offer workshops and updates throughout the season.