A unique partnership between award-winning artist Lucy Pittaway and leading healthcare provider Elysium Healthcare aims to do just that. Together, they are creating a series of Tiny Forests at hospitals and care homes across England and Wales, bringing environmental benefits and improving wellbeing for people supported by Elysium’s services.
From Sycamore Gap to Sustainability
In 2023, following the felling of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland, Lucy pledged to plant a tree for every print of her painting sold. The response was overwhelming, with more than 4,800 prints purchased. Her first project saw 1,000 saplings planted at Swinton Estate to replace trees lost to larch blight.
Building on that success, Lucy is now contributing trees to Elysium’s services, helping to create green spaces that patients, families, and staff can enjoy. Each Tiny Forest will be tailored to its location and co-designed with the people who use the service.
Launching the Collaboration
Lucy recently visited Crossley Place in Liverpool and Victoria Gardens in Huyton to meet service users and discuss plans for their Tiny Forests.
Andy Wadley, Director of NHS Contracts and Sustainability Lead at Elysium, said:
To launch the collaboration, Lucy visited two sites at Crossley Place in Liverpool and Victoria Gardens in Huyton to learn more about the people they support and their Tiny Forest plans.
Andy Wadley, Director of NHS Contracts and Integrated Systems and Sustainability Lead at Elysium said: “As an organisation, Elysium is absolutely committed to sustainability and protecting the environment. Alongside this, research shows just how important green spaces and being outdoors are for everyone’s mental and physical health and wellbeing.
“These Tiny Forests will help us enhance the outdoor spaces around our services and encourage people to spend time outside. They will be co-produced with the people we support, who will be involved at all stages.
Lucy added: “We are delighted that these Tiny Forests will have such a positive impact, not only on the environment, but on the lives of people who use Elysium’s services.
“When we made the Sycamore Gap pledge, we wanted to see something positive come out of the sadness of the tree’s loss. This partnership with Elysium and creating these wonderful forests in all shapes and sizes certainly does that.”
