Publish date: 29 June 2023
NHS estates team partners with community beekeeper to celebrate 10th anniversary
The grounds of an NHS facility in Northumberland are buzzing with activity thanks to a new community partnership.
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management partnered with Pure Buzzin’ Community Interest Company to install five beehives on the grounds of the Northumbria Healthcare Manufacturing and Innovation Hub in Seaton Delaval.
NHFM was established in 2012 and is one of the largest and most successful Facilities Management companies wholly owned by the NHS within the UK. One of the biggest projects from NHFM was the development of the Northumbria Hospital in Cramlington in 2015.
Pure Buzzin’ is a local beekeeping company based in North Tyneside, run by Stephen Douglas, that aims to reduce social isolation, improve mental health and wellbeing, and promote disability inclusion.
Alongside the social aims of Pure Buzzin’, they also sell hive-based products such as candles and honey, but the main focus remains on building better communities through beekeeping.
The idea to install beehives to celebrate the anniversary was brought forward by a staff member that had been to one of Stephen’s beekeeping experience days, which he runs for members of the public to come and learn about honeybees and see the hives up close.
This project contributes to Our Community Promise; the trust’s pledge to focus on all the ways it can improve people’s lives by pushing the boundaries of what an NHS trust can be. It acknowledges health inequalities and challenges that are faced by people in our community.
The promise is based on six key pillars that recognise the factors that can contribute to these inequalities. The beehives contribute to three of these: education, wellbeing and environment.
Stephen works with schools across the local area delivering an alternative education programme where children gain experience assembling hives, gaining joinery skills, learning about pollinators and extracting honey.
Stephen says: “It’s a unique and new platform for people to come together. As well as people being able to meet each other and learn some new skills, we’re also spreading knowledge and learning about the environment. Ultimately trying to get people to be better caretakers of the Earth.”
Rosie Sexton, people and engagement lead at NHFM said: "This is a fantastic imitative to celebrate our 10th anniversary as it really contributes towards the trusts community promise. Within the community promise there are six key pillars and this project contributes to three of them; education, wellbeing and environment."
There are currently more than 50,000 bees in the hives and over the summer months, there will be more community involvement and they will be producing more honey-based products.
Media contact
Emily Lavin, marketing and communications officer, Northumbria Healthcare
Emily.