05-05-2025
Volunteers dig in for green vision at Paisley's Royal Alexandra Hospital
The efforts from those that gathered were aimed at transforming a section of the hospital into a green space to fulfil the dream of the site's founding father.
More than 60 volunteers gathered at the Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH) in Paisley to help transform green space and fulfil the dream of the site's founding father.
The project was inspired by one of the ambitions of the hospital's designers, the late Ian Plenderleath. The volunteers – made up of staff past and present, families and friends – planted 300 native trees.
Among the participants was Tommy MacDonald, the son of RAH staff member Chris MacDonald, who celebrated his seventh birthday by planting his own tree.
The majority of the saplings, supplied by the NHS Forest initiative, were planted along the 'glass corridor' that links many clinical and staff areas while others were planted on grassed areas around the hospital grounds.
As they mature, the trees will be visible from throughout the hospital – in particular, the planting along the glass corridor which is overlooked by a number of wards.
In the original designs for the hospital, architect Mr Plenderleath had imagined this key route throughout the hospital as a 'green walkway' and, in coming years, this vision will become reality.
The planting project was the brainchild of Dr Lucy Thomas, consultant in emergency medicine (Clyde sector) at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC).
She said: 'I saw an advert for NHS Forest – and even though it was mainly for NHS England, I thought I'd apply.
'At first, we were turned down, but in December, I received an email saying we'd been accepted and would be receiving 300 trees – and all we would need to do is plant them.'
In all, Lucy and the team received 11 different native species, along with stakes, ties, wildlife screens and matting to ensure the saplings would get the best start in life.
'There was quite a buzz on the day,' Lucy added. 'People brought teas and coffees, cakes and snacks so there was a great atmosphere and it really brought staff from all departments, and from all levels, together.
'People of all ages came along to help – and some of the young volunteers will be able to keep an eye on the progress of 'their' trees as they mature.'
As part of its initiative, NHS Forest provides a page for the RAH planting project on its website so staff will be able to keep the community updated on the progress of the trees.
Fiona Roche, greenspace officer at NHSGGC, said: 'The health and wellbeing benefits of greenspace are well known so it is great to see this project take place as part of our wider commitment to the whole community, as well as our patients, visitors and staff.
'I would like to thank Lucy for her work in organising this project, all the volunteers for giving up their time and NHS Forest for making it possible.
'The trees will likely outlive all of us so it is wonderful that an architect's original vision has finally become reality, and that it will be such a positive legacy for future generations.'
