Planting the seeds for a greener future at NGH with Arbour Primary Academy

Five eco kids from Arbours Academy Primary school at Northampton General Hospital

Five young eco-champions from Arbour Primary Academy in Northampton brought curiosity, energy, and a passion for nature, to Northampton General Hospital when they joined our Plant Your Plant initiative.

 On September 25 they worked alongside NGH’s sustainability team, environmental specialists, and Stericycle volunteers, and planted pollinator-friendly flowers around the Forrest Centre, home to our breast screening department. The pupils learned how wildlife and green spaces contribute to a healthier environment.

 Dr. Clare Topping, the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire’s Head of Sustainability, said: “Northampton General Hospital is proud of its place as part of the wider Northamptonshire Community and is pleased to be able to engage our younger neighbours by working with schools and inspiring a love of nature and the importance of biodiversity and green spaces.”

 Adam Riley from Kettering Nature Group CIC put together the planters and planted most of the new plants with help from the school children, whilst the planting was funded through Stericycle’s social value commitments.

 Their visit was about more than planting flowers: it was an opportunity to introduce environmental education early, helping children understand that the choices they make today can shape the health of their community and planet for years to come. 

 The learning continued when Dr Clare Topping and Junior-Cudjoe visited Arbour Primary Academy the following week to lead an interactive session on sustainability and biodiversity.

 The children explored the different types of pollinators and the vital role they play in creating a thriving local environment.

 By taking the conversation from the hospital into the classroom, the visits created a shared learning journey and strengthened the relationship between Northampton General Hospital and its local community.

 Partnerships like this help the hospital look beyond its walls, build trust with local families and encourage the next generation to play an active part in creating a greener, healthier Northamptonshire.

 Teacher and Sustainability Lead, Victoria Osmond from Arbours Academy Primary School said: "It was a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to learn more about sustainability, something we're passionate about at The Arbours.

 “It was so insightful learning about the importance of biodiversity and working alongside the hospital has given our children an understanding of how important sustainability is across lots of different environments."

Picture captions

L: Dr Clare Topping, UHN Head of Sustainability and R: Junior-Cudjoe Impraim, Communications Officer and Sustainability Champion

L Adam Riley Kettering Nature Group CIC, M: Dr Clare Topping and on the bench 5 Eco kids from Arbours Academy Primary School.