East of England Ambulance Service Charity awarded £24,486 to create green wellbeing space for staff

The space will play a vital role in supporting staff mental health and wellbeing, by providing a much-needed sanctuary for hard working colleagues. It will contribute to a healthier and more positive working environment, while encouraging biodiversity and attracting wildlife to the area. This will be the 16th wellbeing garden created with the charities’ support, with 15 already in use across the region, made possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters and vital grant opportunities that continue to enhance wellbeing across our sites.

The charity is one of 15 NHS charities across the UK to receive a share of £500,000 in funding from NHS Charities Together, to invest in creating and improving green spaces for the health and wellbeing of NHS staff, patients and communities.

As people live longer with increasingly complex health conditions, demand on the NHS is rising and health inequalities are worsening. The role of local communities in helping people live well has more important than ever.

The scheme - delivered by NHS Charities Together in partnership with environmental charity Hubbub and Starbucks - addresses the fact that while research shows 8 in 10 people feel healthier and more energetic after spending time in nature, one in five people in the UK still live in areas without easy access to green spaces.

Kate Lott, Head of Charity at East of England Ambulance Service Charity said: “We’re incredibly grateful to be awarded this funding. It will enable us to transform an underutilised outdoor area into a purpose-built wellbeing garden, providing staff with a peaceful space to rest and recharge throughout their demanding shifts.”

Ellie Orton OBE, Chief Executive of NHS Charities Together, said: “Access to green spaces and the benefits that this brings to our health and wellbeing should not be something limited to a lucky few, but available to everyone across the UK no matter where they live. This latest round of funding, in partnership with Starbucks and Hubbub, will build on our achievements and learnings to date and enable even more NHS Charities to create and enhance access to green spaces that support the physical and mental health of NHS staff, patients and local communities”

Gavin Ellis, Director and Co-Founder at Hubbub said: “This fund has potential to make a positive difference not just to people’s wellbeing, but also to the environment. As well as the direct environmental impact of more green spaces, studies have shown that spending time in nature makes people more likely to make environmentally friendly lifestyle choices. We are delighted to partner with local NHS charities to draw on their expertise in health and wellbeing and it is Greener Communities Fund Comms Guide – November 2025 great to see them partnering with implementation partners who can provide expertise in greening projects to support project delivery.”

Phil Peacock, Loyalty, Partnerships & Digital Lead at Starbucks said: “Starbucks is delighted to support the Greener Communities Fund. Green space can make a real difference for NHS staff, the patients they care for, and local communities across the UK, creating calm places for rest, recovery, and healthy lives. We’re proud to play a part in helping more of these spaces come to life.

Find out more about the East of England Ambulance Service Charity’s impact in our latest Impact Report.