Sustainability isn’t just good for the planet; it can also improve the well-being of people in care and the staff who support them. As societies grow more conscious of environmental impact, social care settings such as supported living services are beginning to embrace green initiatives. But beyond reducing carbon footprints, these eco-friendly practices can have profound benefits on mental, physical, and social well-being. This blog explores how sustainability in care environments can boost the quality of life for the people supported, staff, and the broader community.
In addition, we’ll take a closer look at Northern Healthcare’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Strategy, showing how we embed sustainability, social impact, and ethical governance into our supported living services to create healthier, more engaging, and more purposeful environments.
When we talk about eco-friendly social care, we mean integrating environmentally responsible practices into the day-to-day running of care homes, supported living services, and other adult social care settings. This can include:
Sustainability is becoming increasingly relevant in the social care sector, not just because of climate concerns, but also due to financial pressures. According to Care England, utility costs are a significant burden: over a third (38.8%) of care providers report that energy bills are squeezing their operational budgets. Implementing more efficient systems can slash energy usage and emissions, studies suggest reductions of up to 50% or even 85% in some cases.
There is growing evidence that exposure to nature helps reduce stress, improve mood, and restore mental energy. Urban green spaces, for example, have been shown to offer restorative effects, helping people recover from mental fatigue and lowering anxiety.
Furthermore, initiatives like green social prescribing (where healthcare professionals refer people to nature-based activities) are seeing a positive uptake. NHS England’s scheme has connected thousands of people with community gardening, conservation volunteering, and outdoor activities with strong reported improvements in well-being.
Gardening and outdoor engagement encourage gentle physical activity, helpful for mobility, dexterity, and exposure to sunlight (vitamin D). Not only are these activities physically beneficial, but they also provide a safe, calming way to stay active.
Getting involved in eco-projects, like composting, planting, or maintaining a garden, gives the people in supported living settings a sense of purpose. These projects can improve self-esteem and create a feeling of achievement.
Sustainable, well-designed buildings contribute to a healthier working environment. Good air quality, balanced temperature control, natural lighting, and greenery all play a role in boosting morale and reducing staff sickness. Care England notes that these factors can lower staff absences and improve cognitive function.
Care providers are increasingly embedding sustainability into their daily operations, creating environments that benefit both the people in supported living and staff. We at Northern Healthcare offer a compelling example of how a supported living provider can combine eco-friendly practices with social impact and well-being initiatives.
Our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Strategy is central to delivering high-quality, person-centred care. Guided by our PROUD (Positive, Respectful, Open & Honest, Understanding, Dedicated) values, the strategy ensures that every decision, from energy management to community engagement, prioritises the well-being of the people we support, staff, and the planet.
Our ESG approach is built around three pillars:
Through these integrated efforts, we’re proving that eco-friendly practices are not only environmentally responsible but also enhance well-being. The people we support experience more engaging, restorative environments; staff enjoy safer, healthier workplaces; and the broader community benefits from socially and environmentally conscious care provision. These initiatives align with seven of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including good health and well-being, reduced inequalities, responsible consumption, and climate action.
By combining environmental action with social value and ethical governance, we at Northern Healthcare exemplify how supported living services can adopt practical, sustainable initiatives that deliver tangible benefits for people and the planet.
Social Engagement and Community
Gardening projects give supported people chances to work together. These activities help build social bonds, reduce isolation, and develop intergenerational interaction.
Learning and Skills
Participating in eco-initiatives like gardening and recycling encourages skill development and builds confidence. These tasks can be meaningful and satisfying, offering a productive role within the community.
Improved Mental Health
Having access to nature, nurturing plants, and contributing to something sustainable can reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms. Nature activities are now well established for their therapeutic value.
Implementing sustainability in social care isn’t without hurdles:
First, there’s the initial cost of upgrading buildings or installing renewable energy that can require significant upfront investment. But as Care England shows, the long-term savings make a compelling case. There’s also the importance of balancing priorities. Providers must ensure that sustainability doesn’t compromise the quality of care or accessibility.
With gradual integration, the key is to scale sustainably, starting small (e.g., introducing plants or recycling), then building up to bigger structural changes like energy retrofits. Strategies to mitigate these challenges include applying for grants, using energy audits, collaborating with sustainability experts, and involving the people supported and staff from the very beginning.
At Northern Healthcare, eco‑friendly social care is central to how we work, guiding our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Strategy and shaping the way we improve well-being, promote sustainability, and deliver high-quality supported living. By embedding green initiatives into our services, we create environments that are healthier, more engaging, and purposeful for the people we support.
Learn more about our ESG Strategy and how Northern Healthcare is leading the way in sustainable, people-centred supported living by clicking here.
What has ‘sustainability’ got to do with a ‘cost of care crisis’? – Care England
Well-being and quality of life – Forest Research
NHS England » Green social prescribing
Can you balance energy and carbon reduction with improved care? – Care England
THE 17 GOALS | Sustainable Development
We’re Mind, the mental health charity | Mind
Connecting with nature offers a new approach to mental health care – GOV.UK
