The NHS in Lincolnshire will be supporting the Great Big Green Week (10 – 18 June), the UK’s biggest ever celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature.

Initiatives like The Great Big Green Week see people coming together to show their support for action to protect the planet.  As the UK’s biggest employer the NHS has a key role in the country’s green agenda.

“In terms of climate change the NHS is both part of the problem, but it also has a crucial role to play in being a part of the solution,” comments Sarah Connery, Chief Executive at Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

“The NHS has made a national commitment to reach net zero by 2040 for the carbon emissions we control directly. There’s a lot of work to be done, but we’re proud to say we’ve already made a start. Things such as working differently, using electric vehicles and improving our buildings with more energy efficient technologies have made a real difference, ” adds Sarah. “We are getting a ground swell of support from all of our staff through our Green Champion initiative- with over 30 staff stepping forward already”.

The Great Big Green Week will see a series of events taking place across the country, including in Lincolnshire – everything from litter picks to letter writing, festivals to football matches, seaweed foraging to school assemblies. More information on events can be found on the Great Big Green Week website.

A number of patient groups from across the county will also be getting involved in upcycling and gardening sessions to not only help the environment, but also boost their mental health and wellbeing.

Katherine Rooks, an Occupational Therapist in our Lincolnshire NHS, shares: “The difference these projects make to our patients is amazing! Last week, we gave our old benches a new lease of life and started to create new raised beds to grow fruit and vegetables in. We’re looking forward to seeing how our tomatoes, lettuce, pumpkins and carrots grow! These will then be used by our patients when they are cooking on the wards! We’re looking forward to doing more activities during this Great Big Green Week.”

“Events like The Great Big Green Week are a fun way to get involved locally, show your support and to make a difference, so we’ll be promoting it to our staff and encouraging them to get involved and to find out more,” adds Sarah.

Published 07/06/2023