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The Community Cluster and emotional intelligence, confidence, practical and
creative skills and team building in their primary school
Developed with the vision of ‘a community parkland
classes. Feedback has been extremely positive and
for children’ the community cluster is a campus of other local Primary Schools are expected to participate
buildings that relate to each other but can be built in
in the next school year. Discussions have commenced
phases over a period of years as finances and service
with John Moores University to develop and an
demands dictate. Designed via a RIBA competition
evidence based research project utilising Springfield
that attracted some of the biggest architectural names
Park as an outdoor research facility for the University’s
in the country, the cluster is a very exciting, innovative Environmental Department.
and challenging solution that brings several different
services into a shared space. The first phase of the Art and Health
building will accommodate CAMHS, Neuro Assessment
Outpatients, Psychology, Orthotics and local Police Alder Hey’s partnership with the Woodland Trust
administration offices. Phases that follow are expected has seen the installation of a Tree Charter Marker
to include the Dewi Jones Unit, Sandfield Park School sculpture in Springfield Park. This is one of 10 that
and a twelve bed Rehabilitation Unit. The building will were installed in sites around the UK as a national
be situated between the Alder Centre and the Institute monument to mark the launch of the Charter for Trees,
in the Park on part of the demolition site identified Woods and People in November. The Springfield Park
as Trust expansion space within the masterplan. The sculpture is particularly relevant as it is the only one
chosen design will feature undercroft parking, views in England with carvings and commissioned poetry
of the future parkland, private garden areas and clear to celebrate the importance of trees to health and
landscaped routes between Eaton road and the park, wellbeing. This national monument will serve as a
and the adjacent Alder Centre and Institute in the Park legacy in the landscape for the Tree Charter, ensuring
in order to optimise the changing land levels. Detailed it and the principles that underpin it remain in public
design with users is scheduled to start in May with consciousness. It will also highlight the work Alder
construction expected to commence in late Autumn. Hey is doing to promote health and wellbeing through
Springfield Park Initiatives connection with the natural environment.

Access and Health A poetry competition that attracted 500 entries from as
far as Australia and India as well as many local schools
A series of developments completed within Springfield has led to the best poems from all age groups being
Park this year are expected to encourage more local permanently displayed around the park to encourage
use of the park as well as attract hospital visitors walking around the park and a greater understanding
and staff. They are targeted at easing access for and about trees which are the subject of all the poems.
encouraging interest from local residents, children and
families, nature lovers, and those interested in art. The Participation
recent development of the woodland area in Springfield
Meetings, workshops and communications will
Park and the installation of a pram and disabled
continue with local schools, residents and the
accessible forest path will allow the local community Friends of Springfield Park Group to develop future
greater access and it is expected that the availability of
developments for 2018/19 which include the design of
a rich multi-sensory nature experience and restorative
the first area of park to be returned as well as smaller
environment will deliver physical and mental health
items such as providing benches and seating areas for
benefits. Much of this work was funded in Partnership
varied age groups and smart storage bins for volunteer
with a grant from Veolia and the next stage is the use.
design and installation of an interactive interpretation
trail in partnership with local schools allowing visitors to
learn about the environment as they walk.
Education and Research

In partnership with Lancashire Wildlife Trust (a
registered charity dedicated to protecting wildlife and
natural habitats throughout Lancashire, Manchester
and North Merseyside), the Forest School area built
in the woodland and opened in May 2017, has gone
from strength to strength. Three local primary schools
have been trained as Forest School leaders and
used the venue on a weekly basis to develop social

Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust 40 Annual Report & Accounts 2017/18