June 25, 2026

Bringing Nature to Life at the Western General Hospital – Spring Round Up

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Growing together

At the heart of this work is collaboration. I’ve been working alongside volunteers from the Charity’s Fighting Against Cancer Edinburgh (FACE) fund to explore simple, meaningful ways people can connect with nature while spending time at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre.

With the help of RSPB volunteers, more than 1,000 bulbs have been planted in Amanda’s Garden – a peaceful space designed for reflection and rest. As they bloom, they’ll bring colour for people to enjoy and provide vital nectar for early pollinators.

We’ve also been lucky to welcome student volunteers from the University of Edinburgh and corporate volunteers from Candence. Together, they’ve helped maintain garden spaces, complete a dead hedge along the main drive, build new features in the growing space, and even create signage highlighting the wildlife benefits of different plants.

A space to grow

One of the most exciting additions this season has been the new staff growing space – and it’s already proving popular.

Teams from across the hospital, including Main X-ray, Pharmacy, Ward 7 and the Dialysis Unit, are now caring for their own plots. Recent sowing sessions, including an after-work session with staff from Radiology and Physiotherapy, brought people together to plant leeks, rocket and sunflowers – and there’s already been a first (and very welcome) harvest of radishes, enjoyed by patients and passers-by.

The space has transformed an area once dominated by gravel and concrete into somewhere green and full of life.

There’s plenty more to come, too. A dedicated wildflower area will soon be planted to support biodiversity, while sunflowers grown on-site will help feed birds later in the season.

This project wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of the Estates Grounds and Gardens team, who helped deliver every stage – from identifying the site to building and filling the raised beds.

Rebecca, Principal Radiographer, shared:

The team are truly excited… it’s great for them to have a space they can get away to. What you’ve achieved on such a busy site with limited space is amazing.”

Nature for everyone

While getting outside can make a huge difference, it isn’t always possible for people receiving treatment. That’s why we’ve been working to bring nature closer – including right to the bedside.

Our partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh continues to grow, with activities ranging from staff visits to the Botanic Gardens to nature-based yoga sessions for patients, complete with birdsong.

One of the newest ideas has been the introduction of Bird Watching Bundles – simple kits with binoculars and bird guides, now available on several cancer wards. With additional blankets and cushions for balcony spaces, these bundles are helping patients enjoy moments of calm, curiosity and connection with the outdoors.

These have been distributed to Wards 2, 3, 7 and 8, with additional bundles for Ward 6 balconies, alongside blankets and cushions to help patients spend more time outdoors where possible.

We can’t wait to hear what they spot.

Looking ahead

As the first growing season continues, what’s most striking is how these spaces are bringing people together – whether that’s through volunteering, gardening, or simply taking a moment to pause outside.

What started as small ideas is growing into something much bigger – creating opportunities for connection, learning and wellbeing across the site.

In a place often defined by fast pace and clinical environments, these small pockets of nature are creating something special: space to breathe, to connect, and to feel just a little closer to the natural world.

All of this and much more is detailed on the Western General Hospital page on our Green Health website. And for bespoke support contact Beth directly by emailing bethany.cochrane@rspb.org.uk