Brighterway’s Living Memory Trees Grow a Legacy Through Healing Spaces

Four people plant a young tree, with the man closest to camera using a spade.

Brighterway’s Living Memory tree planting initiative launched at Tatchbury Mount as part of its commitment to enhancing NHS green spaces and promoting emotional wellbeing.

In partnership with the Hampshire Forest Partnership, 20 trees – such as Lime, Rowan, Indian Horse Chestnut, Hawthorn, and sturdy Elms – have been planted to help restore lost woodland and create a peaceful, natural environment for all who visit or work at the site.

Four smiling people stand in a row holding shovels and tree planting tools

The Living Memory tree effort supports the wider goal of planting one million trees across Hampshire by 2050, and directly contributes to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s Green Plan for environmental sustainability.

Honour a Loved One with a Tree

You can support this fantastic campaign by adopting a tree in memory of someone special. Each adopted tree includes a unique identity tag and may include a custom Memory Plaque. Think of the trees as living tributes that will grow into lasting symbols of remembrance and renewal.

Suggested donation: £150 (includes tree and plaque – subject to confirmation).

To enquire or register your interest, please email phil.pride@southernhealth.nhs.uk.

A freshly planted young tree stands in its supportive wooden fence in a green space on a Hampshire NHS site.

Greener Spaces for Better Well-being

While the initiative is about environmental stewardship, it’s also intended to improve spaces for healing and recovery. By planting these trees, outdoor areas at NHS sites are being revitalised to provide tranquil, therapeutic environments that support patient recovery, staff morale, and biodiversity.

“Transforming our outdoor areas into beautiful, calming spaces is a vital part of supporting mental health,” says Samuel Ojo, Modern Matron at Southfields. “Many service users benefit from time in nature, and these changes are making a real difference.”

Four people plant a young adult tree outdoors. — From Left to Right: Samuel Ojo, Brian Huggell, Julia Forder, Phil Pride

As the trees take root and grow, they’ll offer shade, beauty, and a sense of connection – creating a green legacy that benefits generations to come.

In the words of Julia Forder, Site Manager at Tatchbury Mount: “While many of us may not be here to see these trees reach full maturity, it’s rewarding to know we’ve contributed to something that will benefit future generations. Our buildings are named after trees, so this project is deeply connected to the site’s history. Seeing these trees grow will be a legacy we can all be proud of.”

Watch our campaign video

Four smiling people work together to plant trees at a Hampshire NHS site

Brighterway Living Memory Tree Planting Initiative Promotes More Green Spaces

Four smiling people stand in a row holding shovels and tree planting tools

Brighterway’s Living Memory Tree Planting Initiative recently planted 20 young adult trees at Tatchbury Mount to support greener NHS spaces. This is part of an ambitious initiative to plant one million trees across the county by 2050, as per Brighterway’s collaboration with Hampshire County Council’s Hampshire Forest Partnership.

The trees – including Lime, Rowan, Hawthorn, Indian Horse Chestnut and the resilient Elm – not only help restore woodlands lost to storms and disease, but also act as living symbols of remembrance and recovery. Further plantings are planned at additional Trust sites in the next planting season.

Supporting mental health and local ecology

Contributing to a wider mental health and well-being enhancement strategy, the trees will transform NHS grounds into calming, restorative environments.

“We are working with Brighterway to completely transform our outdoor areas into spaces that are visually appealing, calming, and stimulating,” reflected Samuel Ojo, Modern Matron at Southfields Low Secure Unit. “Many of our service users enjoy gardening and nature, and having this revitalised space will be hugely beneficial to their mental health and well-being.”

A young adult tree stands in a wooden support fence in a green space near some houses with blue cloudy sky behind.

Brighterway is the charity of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, so their green initiative aligns with the NHS Trust’s environmental sustainability goals and Green Plan. This centres on reducing its ecological footprint while enhancing spaces for staff, patients, and visitors alike. The trees will become living monuments to the values of care, remembrance, and community as they grow.

Four smiling people work together to plant trees at a Hampshire NHS site

Julia Forder, Site Manager at Tatchbury Mount, discussed the initiative’s long-term legacy: “While many of us may not be here to see these trees reach full maturity, it’s rewarding to know we’ve contributed to something that will benefit future generations. Our buildings are named after trees, so this project is deeply connected to the site’s history. Seeing these trees grow will be a legacy we can all be proud of.”

https://youtu.be/c1wEyiVzyvs

A young hawthorn tree standing inside a wooden support fence in front of a green space on a Hampshire NHS site.

Adopt a tree to support Brighterway

Each tree is available for adoption as a living memorial in exchange for a donation to Brighterway. With its own identity tag – and the potential to include a personalised Memory Plaque – each tree offers a deeply personal way to commemorate a loved one while contributing to a greener, more sustainable future.

Send an enquiry or register your interest by emailing phil.pride@southernhealth.nhs.uk.

The suggested donation is £150, which includes both the tree and name plaque. Cost per tree to be confirmed.

Four smiling people stand in a row holding shovels and tree planting tools