From Gravel to Growing: A Summer of Nature Connection at the Western General – Summer Round Up

By Beth Cochrane, RSPB Nature Connections Officer

There’s been plenty happening across the Western General this summer, with more opportunities than ever for staff, patients and visitors to connect with nature.

One of the highlights has been the transformation of a previously underused area between the Dialysis Unit and the Inverleith Building. What was once a stretch of gravel and concrete has become a thriving growing space where people can slow down, get their hands dirty and enjoy spending time outdoors.

Developed through our Green Health Programme, the project was a collaboration between myself, Anna Steele from Main X-Ray and the Estates Grounds and Gardens Team, led by Ian Williams. It has been fantastic to watch the space evolve and see how quickly it has become part of everyday life at the Western.

Staff from across the site are now using the area to grow vegetables, take breaks outdoors and connect with colleagues. Patients and visitors regularly stop to admire the flowers, vegetables and wildlife-friendly planting as they move around the hospital grounds.

Seeing the space being used and enjoyed has been a real reminder that even relatively small changes can have a positive impact on wellbeing.

Growing more than vegetables

The growing space has continued to flourish throughout the summer, with staff members taking ownership of different areas and trying their hand at growing everything from salad leaves to sunflowers.

One sunflower, which started life in the growing space, was nurtured by colleagues from the South East Scotland Cancer Research Network before being planted elsewhere on site. Not only does it brighten up the hospital grounds, but it also provides food for birds and pollinators.

The space regularly produces edible crops too. Staff have been able to harvest fresh salad leaves and vegetables during their lunch breaks, creating opportunities to connect with nature during even the busiest working days.

Volunteers helping wildlife thrive

We have also been fortunate to receive incredible support from RSPB volunteers throughout the summer.

Working alongside the Estates Grounds and Gardens Team, volunteers have helped improve biodiversity and enhance the appearance of several areas across the site, including entrances to the Edinburgh Cancer Centre and spaces around Car Park 4.
From planting wildflowers and sunflowers to creating more welcoming green spaces, their efforts are helping make the Western General a greener place for people and wildlife alike.

A huge thank you to everyone who has volunteered their time and energy to support these projects.

Supporting patients through nature

Nature connection activities have continued with patients from the Teenage Cancer Ward, providing opportunities to get outdoors, explore local greenspaces and try something new.

Over the summer, participants have enjoyed guided walks at locations including the Water of Leith and Inverleith Park, where they used binoculars and magnifying lenses to discover wildlife up close. Some captured fantastic photographs of the nature they encountered, including birds and insects seen from a completely different perspective.

Patients also took part in yoga sessions at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, using birdsong as a focus for mindfulness and meditation practice. Activities like these help create opportunities for relaxation, reflection and connection during what can often be a challenging time.

We’ve also run a range of creative nature-based sessions closer to home, including herbal tea tasting, growing pea shoots and sensory activities such as making scented scrubs using oats, chamomile and rose petals.

Exploring new ways to connect with nature

This summer has also seen us explore some exciting new ideas.

Artist Ed Harrison recently joined us in the Anne Ferguson Building café to test Wild Wings of Hope, an innovative augmented reality nature connection project inspired by the migration of barn swallows between the UK and South Africa.

Participants create a paper swallow and write a personal message of hope, before using augmented reality to follow the swallow’s remarkable journey. The experience explores themes including hope, resilience, home and connection, and was originally developed for people experiencing grief and loss within healthcare settings.

It’s an exciting example of how creativity, storytelling and nature can come together to support wellbeing in different ways.

Looking ahead

As autumn approaches, there is still lots planned across the Western General, from volunteering opportunities and nature connection activities to further improvements to greenspaces around the site.

Whether you’re interested in growing vegetables, supporting biodiversity, taking part in activities with your team or simply enjoying some time outdoors, we’d love to hear from you.

The enthusiasm and support we’ve seen this year has been incredible, and it’s only possible thanks to the many staff, volunteers, patients and partners who continue to get involved.

Together, we’re helping create a hospital environment where nature is an everyday part of wellbeing.

Interested in getting involved?

Contact me by emailing [email protected] to discuss nature connection activities, greenspace projects or opportunities within your team or department.