Great Oaks Hospice - caring and sustainable

Exceptional care for families, with sustainability at its core

Background

Great Oaks Hospice stands as a beacon of compassion and care in the Forest of Dean, offering free, specialist support to adults with life-limiting illnesses, and their families.

From Hospice at Home services to counselling, complementary therapies, and a vibrant day hospice, every offering is delivered by a dedicated team of professionals and volunteers.

The CEO of Great Oaks has an environmental aspiration to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040, which they are well on course to achieving. By embracing sustainable practices, Great Oaks aims to safeguard its services, ensuring that future generations in the Forest of Dean continue to benefit from its vital support.

Project

In 2023, Great Oaks Hospice partnered with Positive Planet to carry out a sustainability audit, which propelled them on their reduction journey.

Since then, they’ve upgraded and expanded their solar PV array and battery storage, and installed three EV charging points using OZEV grant funding. A full upgrade to LED lighting, paired with automatic sensors, has made the building more energy-efficient.

To further reduce their fuel costs and carbon emissions, the hospice has replaced its fleet with three electric vehicles.

Thanks to match funding from Forest of Dean District Council, they have also replaced their old gas heating system with three new, air-source heat pumps integrated into the existing underfloor system, delivering cleaner, more sustainable warmth throughout the hospice.

Results

Great Oaks Hospice has already made strong progress on its sustainability goals.

Today, just 2% of its electricity comes from the National Grid, thanks to its upgraded solar and battery systems.

Switching to electric vehicles has saved around £1,000 per month in fuel costs.

While the new heating system is still too new for full evaluation, early signs are positive. The new heating system is projected to save £1,400 per year and reduce energy use by 44,500 kWh.

The solar upgrade has cut over 200 kg of CO₂, and the LED lighting is expected to save £3,000 annually and reduce emissions by 2,200 kg of CO₂.

Altogether, the hospice expects to cut over 10,000 kg of CO₂ emissions annually - a major achievement for a small organisation.

Looking ahead, thermal imaging will help identify heat loss and guide future insulation improvements.

“We have both an economic and moral responsibility to prioritise sustainability, ensuring that Great Oaks Hospice remains a cherished part of the Forest of Dean community for generations to come.”

Joe Feeley, Chief Executive