This summer, Milton Keynes Hospital Charity has been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of volunteers who have dedicated their time to improving the outdoor spaces at Milton Keynes University Hospital.
From weeding and planting to litter picking around the hospital site – teams from across our local community and corporate partners have rolled up their sleeves to help create welcoming outdoor environments for patients, visitors and staff to enjoy.
These green spaces provide important places for reflection, relaxation and wellbeing, and the support we’ve received has made a real difference. We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has volunteered with us throughout the summer. Here are just a few examples of the difference that volunteers have made to the outside areas at MKUH over the Summer months.
Redway Runners
For more than a year, members of Redway Runners have been caring for and developing our hospital allotment garden, and the transformation they have achieved has been nothing short of remarkable. Through regular volunteering sessions, the group has worked tirelessly to cultivate the space, turning it into a thriving and productive garden that benefits the whole hospital community.
Thanks to their dedication and enthusiasm, the allotment now produces regular harvests of fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs throughout the growing season. These homegrown ingredients are delivered to our MKUH Catering Team, who incorporate them into delicious meals enjoyed by both patients and staff.
As well as creating a productive growing space, the volunteers have helped make the allotment a welcoming and vibrant environment that demonstrates the positive impact community support can have within the hospital setting. Their commitment over the past year has been truly inspiring, and we are incredibly grateful for their ongoing support, hard work and generosity in helping their local hospital flourish.
Smith Construction
The team from Smith Construction dedicated their volunteering day to improving the Cancer Centre Courtyard, a much-loved outdoor space that provides patients, families and staff with an opportunity to spend time outdoors away from the clinical environment.
Working together, the volunteers tackled a variety of gardening and maintenance tasks, helping to tidy, refresh and enhance the courtyard. Check out the before and after photos!
John Lewis
Volunteers from John Lewis generously gave their time to support our summer volunteering programme, focusing their efforts on two important outdoor spaces at MKUH: the Histopathology and Mortuary Garden and the Cancer Centre Garden. Check out the task they had on their hands in the photos below:
The Histopathology and Mortuary Garden provides a valuable place of respite for colleagues working in these departments, offering a peaceful outdoor environment where staff can step away from their roles, reflect and recharge during the working day. Meanwhile, the Cancer Centre Garden is enjoyed by patients, families and staff, providing a calming space away from the clinical setting. Look at the difference the team from John Lewis made below:
BSI
We were delighted to welcome volunteers from BSI, who spent the day helping to keep the hospital grounds clean, tidy and welcoming through a dedicated litter-picking initiative across the MKUH site.
Armed with litter pickers, bags and plenty of enthusiasm, the team covered a wide range of outdoor areas, collecting discarded waste and helping to improve the appearance of the hospital environment for patients, visitors and staff. While often unseen, this work plays an important role in ensuring the hospital remains a pleasant and welcoming place for everyone who visits or works here.
VWFS
One team spent the day working in our Physiotherapy Garden, helping to maintain and enhance this important space for patients, visitors and staff. Through weeding, tidying and general gardening tasks, they helped ensure the garden remains a welcoming and enjoyable environment that supports wellbeing and rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, a second VWFS volunteer team took part in a litter-picking initiative across the hospital site, helping to keep the grounds clean, tidy and welcoming for everyone who visits or works at MKUH. Their efforts made an immediate and visible difference, contributing to a more pleasant environment across the hospital.
BT
The team from BT generously volunteered their time to help improve the hospital environment, returning to support the upkeep of the Switchboard/A&E Garden. This outdoor space provides a welcome area of greenery for staff working in these busy departments, as well as patients and visitors passing through the area.
During their volunteering day, the team tackled a variety of gardening and maintenance tasks, helping to tidy, refresh and enhance the garden so it remains an attractive and welcoming space for all who use it. Their efforts have helped breathe new life into the area, creating a more pleasant environment that can be enjoyed throughout the year.
