Today is the final day of National Allotments Week, so a great opportunity to say a huge thank you to our gardening teams at both HRI and CRH who work tirelessly to ensure our grounds are well maintained for our colleagues and patients.

Senior Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Specialist, Donna Hepworth passed on her thoughts after noticing how lovely the gardens were looking recently.

She said: "When I was walking up to the IPC office from the lower car park at HRI last week, I found myself watching Sam Gough and how conscientious he was being in trimming the lawn and its edges below the office block. The scent of newly mown grass made me smile and feel calm and content.

"I stopped to chat and he recounted (with pride I must add) the plans the team had for adding to and improving existing gardens around the trust and how idea-sharing and innovation is encouraged within the team.

"I thanked him for his hard work and reminded him how valuable and important lovely gardens are to the general wellbeing of colleagues, patients and visitors. Plus, well-kept gardens reflect positively on the Trust as another example of the care taken of the whole environment."

CHS Estates Compliance Manager, Lee Sinnott, said "We’re also trying to make a difference for the environment, working with the Woodland Trust on tree planting, as well as actively encouraging wildlife/biodiversity, using environmentally sustainable composts, and our own special blend of course.

"Sam and colleague Will Bennett have great ideas and implementation plans. They’re supported by the rest of the team in estates for the wider considerations and environmental strategy."