Site Services Team Spruces Up Pond
The Site Services directorate is committed to building our team through compassionate leadership, and as such, our senior managers put time aside for the Wider Management Team to work on this. For October’s Wider Management Team meeting, we decided to renovate the pond between the DCHW and the PGMC not only to improve the space, but to give our staff some respite from the office and the daily grind. The pond used to be a haven for wildlife and a relaxing green space for patients and staff away from the stress of the hospital, but in recent years it has fallen into disrepair. Overgrown brambles, weeds and an inaccessible path made this space unattractive and underused- that was of course until team Site Services worked together to spruce it up!
One team laid down a bordered path with bark chippings while another team cleared away brambles, dug up weeds, tidied borders and planted flowers in the pots on the picnic benches. The result is a much prettier and inviting space, as well as a stronger site services team!
Before we began, we made sure to check we weren’t inadvertently disturbing hedgehogs, greater crested newts or sticklebacks, and a survey was done to make sure there were no troublesome plant species such as Japanese Knotweed or Giant Hogweed.
Thanks to Paul and his team at the DCHW who fuelled us with a barbeque and to the Grounds and Gardens team for lending us tools and help. Our learning was that this physical activity in the fresh air surrounded by nature was a huge mood and morale booster and helped us to connect with others in our team easily.
Have a nature-based activity planned with your team? Let us know!
