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Wednesday 10 Mar 2021

Rail industry goes green fingers to help create outdoor garden space at Nightingale Hospital Exeter

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Western

Dozens of Network Rail and GWR workers have pulled together to help support the NHS by creating an outdoor garden space at the Nightingale Hospital in Exeter.

Volunteers from Network Rail and GWR teamed up to transform the hospital’s outside space including installing fencing, laying decking, painting and positioning planters around the garden.

The team were supported by Splash Projects, a local Exmouth-based company who normally deliver projects globally; reconnecting teams through community projects. Splash were honoured to work alongside Network Rail and GWR to contribute to this important community build using their contacts to help source materials and equipment, along with contributions from local garden centres and DIY traders. GWR also donated a disabled access ramp to enable those with accessibility needs be able to fully enjoy this new outdoor space.

This project is an extension of Network Rail’s previous efforts last year where volunteers helped transform a former DIY store in Exeter into the region’s new Nightingale Hospital and follows more recent efforts to help set up a new large-scale Vaccination Centre at Westpoint Exeter.

Nick Millington, Network Rail’s director of safety taskforce, coordinated Network Rail’s volunteering efforts, said: “We were delighted to be back in Exeter helping to support the creation of the new garden at the Nightingale Hospital Exeter.

“I am extremely proud of the work and effort the team has made and continue to make during the current pandemic. Colleagues have continued to help keep the railway running, not only on the tracks but also supporting off the tracks with projects like this.”

Chris Pearce, Network Rail’s, interim Western route director, said: “I would like to thank my colleagues for their continued hard work and commitment to supporting the NHS in Devon.

“I’m immensely proud of everyone who has joined the huge volunteering efforts over the past year which involved helping to set up the Exeter Nightingale Hospital, being a part of the team that transformed the Westpoint Arena into a mass vaccination centre and now creating an outdoor space for patients, staff and visitors at the Exeter Nightingale Hospital.”

Chantal Baker, NHS Nightingale Hospital Exeter, assistant director of nursing, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Network Rail and GWR for once again supporting the Nightingale Hospital. Kind gestures like this make a real difference to our patients and staff, and so on behalf of the Exeter Nightingale Hospital, I’d like to thank all of the wonderful volunteers who gave up their time to improve our outdoor space.”Spa