The community orchards and gardens at University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) are to benefit from the attentions of a dedicated community worker.

Glenn Powell, of Moseley, has been handed the task of building upon the success already enjoyed by the developing green areas around the Trust’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) site.

Glenn is undertaking a 12-month Natural Networks Traineeship, funded by The Heritage Lottery Fund, through The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) and working with UHB to support the development of up to 12 green spaces across the hospital site.

For the past two years he has been working for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds as an events/fundraising officer and enjoys inspiring people and families to connect with nature and the outdoors. 

“This is a great opportunity to play a part in enhancing and improving green areas in our city for the benefit of all,” he said.

“I think that access to green spaces and an understanding of their value to us, as well as nature, is crucial to healthier and happier communities for all.

“It is proven that access to green spaces and the outdoors has beneficial effects for issues such as obesity, inactivity, stress and antisocial behaviour and this is why the partnership between TCV, QEHB and the community is vital.

“I am very much looking forward to getting started!”

The UHB community orchard and gardens have seen an incredible amount of activity over the past year with more than 1,000 trees planted, including almost 200 British apple, pear, damson and plum trees. At the same time, a new raised food growing area has been created.

The project has been supported from the start by TCV through the Health for Life initiative - a five-year programme for south Birmingham, funded by the Mondelēz International Foundation - which promotes healthy lifestyles and helps to create and develop community allotments and food growing spaces.

Antony Cobley, health and wellbeing lead at QEHB, said: "We really need to extend the work we are doing to reach out to local people and community groups. Glenn's role will enable us to do this and I hope that we will see a significant Increase in the activities across the Trust’s green spaces."

Chris Blythe, Health for Life programme manager and Operations Leader for TCV West Midlands, added: ‘’It’s great to see so many of the green spaces at QEHB being used for the benefit of all.

“We are delighted to be involved in the project to give people more opportunities to be involved in growing their own food and building healthier and happier communities.’’