NHS Forest 2025: Healing Spaces, Thriving Communities

We have taken the decision to charge a small fee for tickets this year. As a charity, we really appreciate your financial support to help us do our work. However, if you need a free ticket to attend, just send us an email at [email protected], and we'll be happy to send you one for free—no questions asked.

What can I expect from the event?

10.00 - Welcome and keynote

11.00 - Session 1: Nature for mental health

Speakers include:

• Sam Gamblin, Regional Centre Manager at Thrive Birmingham
• Karen Buckman, Nursing Manager, Hillis Lodge
• Dr Victoria Wilkes, Consultant Lead Psychologist for Reaside Clinic and Hillis Lodge
• Dr Patrick Bogue, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
• Dr Katie Hall, NIHR Doctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Academic Mental Health, University of Bristol and ST6 doctor in General Adult Psychiatry at Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (Perinatal Team)

12.15 - Session 2: How nature supports physical health

Speakers so far include:

• Dr. Russell McIntire, Associate Professor in the College of Health at Lehigh University
• Emma Lacy, founder of Earth & Mind
• Emily Nurse, Earth & Mind

14.15 - Session 3: How we can engage communities

Speakers so far include:

• Victoria Shearing, Wellbeing Garden Programme Manager, The Royal Horticultural Society
• CSH Nature Recovery Rangers and Green Health Routes Project at CSH

15.20 - NHS Forest Awards and close

The conference is made possible thanks to funding from Sports England (supported by the National Lottery) and the National Lottery Community Fund.