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Sustainability is an essential part of our lives, with resources and materials becoming increasingly scarce, it is vital that individuals and organisations look at how work practices can be delivered differently to protect the environment whilst improving quality and productivity.
05th Apr 2013
NHS Sustainability Day was first introduced on 28th March 2012, and will be held on the same date each year. The day is supported by many senior government officials, key NHS figures and celebrities and is a way to encourage NHS establishments, stakeholders and supply chain partners to show their commitment to the future of the health service.
This year, Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust (LCFT) delivered the ‘Grow Your Own’ initiative though a partnership between Property Services and Secure Services teams at the Trust’s Guild Park facility.
Guild Park is the Trust’s largest site with extensive grounds and kitchens that serve 300 meals per day. It provides a unique opportunity for the Trust in delivering a flagship model for sustainable food whilst improving the health and well-being of service users and staff.
The ‘Grow Your Own’ initiative helps to provide fresh produce to 131 service users on the Guild Park site, as well as assisting 33 Step Down Unit (SDU) service users to develop the skills necessary to provide and cook for themselves, which ultimately leads them towards independent living. The initiative will allow service users to learn new skills, develop confidence and self-esteem, become more physically active and understand the importance and benefits of locally grown produce.
As LCFT’s joint venture partner, we donated 15 sets of gardening gloves and kneeling pads for use by the service users and staff. Ryhurst’s Environmental & Property Risk Manager, Adrian Palmer said: “Service users, LCFT volunteers and partner organisations have worked together to establish the “Grow Your Own” project, and their hard work, enthusiasm and commitment has delivered a great example of the health, environmental and economic benefits of environmental sustainability.”
Elizabeth Harrison, Project Lead at Lancashire Care said: “I’m so proud of everyone that has been involved and made the project possible and really enjoyed celebrating this on the day. The project provides an opportunity for social interaction and also promotes healthy eating and living. Participants will be given the opportunity to build on self-confidence and transferrable skills such as teamwork and recognised qualifications.”
