Research assistants from Cardiff University’s Pharmabees team, staff members, and community volunteers from Aneurin Bevan University Health Board have sown wildflower seeds in the grounds of Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr hospital as part of a health and wellbeing scheme.
Hospitals can be stressful places, not only for patients, but staff too. And through its ‘Rewilding Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr’ initiative, the team is helping to improve wellbeing at the same time as providing environmental benefits by rewilding the hospital site.
Phoebe Nicklin, a research assistant at the health board and Pharmabees team member, said: “This is an ongoing project with patients, visitors, and staff, getting people involved for their wellbeing.
“We’re really hoping on two accounts to see the environmental benefits of the biodiverse landscape, and we’re hoping to see the wellbeing benefits of visitors, the staff, the patients, and everybody who comes here.”
Encouraging activity in green spaces like these rewilded areas provides numerous potential mental health and physical health benefits. This includes a reduction in stress and negative emotions.
It can also help with heart disease conditions and lower rates of obesity and levels of type 2 diabetes and provides a social connection and exercise activity for staff and volunteers who help maintain the areas and sow seeds.
