Tunnel to Success: Supporting Greener Communities | Charity News Blog

Thanks to an incredible donation from facilities management company Mitie, a polytunnel has been installed at Moseley Hall Hospital to provide a space for patients, staff, and visitors to enjoy the outdoors and grow plants and vegetables on site.

A polytunnel is a semi-circular outdoor structure covered in polyethylene to create a controlled microclimate for plants and crops in a similar way to a greenhouse. The original idea came from Stuart Latham, gardener with the Estates and Facilities Team at BCHC, who has always been keen to encourage gardening therapy for patients and the local community. 

Research commissioned by the Greener Communities Fund in November 2023 found that 70% of people surveyed reported improved mental and physical health after time spent in nature, including improvements in mood, better sleep, and reduced levels of stress.* Supervised gardening therapy can also help patients with rehabilitation by providing a relaxing, low impact activity that will help to improve flexibility, muscle engagement, and mobility.

Whilst working with BCHC Charity volunteers to maintain green spaces across the Trust, Stuart was introduced to Siobhan McBride from Mitie, and talks began around making his vision become a reality. “Mitie wanted to support the polytunnel project because it mirrors our commitment to creating lasting and meaningful social value. It’s about creating pathways for sustainable futures; uplifting lives, strengthening communities and building a positive legacy for the people and places we serve”, Siobhan says. “The polytunnel will uplift the lives of the patients, being able to have rehab in the polytunnel helping to grow plants and flowers which can then be used in the grounds at Moseley Hall Hospital. It has strengthened the relationship with other organisations such as Moseley in Bloom, who will be using the polytunnel to support their floral displays across Moseley village. These projects, along with others, will provide a positive legacy to the patients, staff, and visitors to Moseley Hall Hospital and the local village.”

Sarah Binks, Associate Director of Charities shares thanks to Siobhan and the team at Mitie, "This polytunnel is much more than a place to grow plants, it's a space where people can come together, enjoy nature, and support their wellbeing. For patients, it will offer valuable opportunities to take part in gardening activities that aid rehabilitation, while staff, volunteers, carers, and visitors can benefit from a welcoming outdoor space to relax and connect with others. We are delighted to see this project come to life and thankful to the team at Mitie for helping make it happen."

Charity Volunteer Co-Ordinator Vanisha Mistry says, “Stuart and I spoke a lot about the development of green spaces around Moseley Hall hospital, and he had a vision to have a polytunnel for communal use. Nature is a wonderful medicine; I am so excited to see further developments of the polytunnel working alongside Estates, Moor Green staff, volunteers, and Moseley in Bloom.”

The polytunnel was officially opened on Thursday 2 July as part of the charity’s NHS 78th birthday celebrations, where members of staff from BCHC and Mitie attended to hear speeches about the importance of the polytunnel to the community, and to watch Siobhan and Stuart cut the ribbon. Teresa McIntosh, Deputy Divisional Director for Adults and Specialist Rehabilitation, said, “Community hospitals are about caring for people as a whole, and this polytunnel will become an important part of that care. It will provide patients, staff, volunteers, carers, and members of our community with opportunities to enjoy gardening, spend time outdoors, learn new skills, and experience the many benefits that nature brings to both physical and mental health.”

At the opening of the tunnel, Stuart reflected on the journey to getting it installed; “I’ve wanted something like this here for years, and Mitie have made this dream a reality. This is going to be such a good thing for everyone in the area, encouraging community gardening and giving people the opportunity to get out into nature. This is a fantastic collaboration between the NHS, Mitie, and the local community.”

As we continue to develop our outdoor spaces and expand the benefits they bring to patients, staff, and local communities, we are always looking for additional funding, donations, and support to help grow our green offer even further. If you would like to know more about volunteering or supporting our green spaces, please get in touch with the Charity Team at bchc.charity@nhs.net .