At DHU Healthcare, caring for our communities goes beyond direct patient care, it includes looking after the wider environment that supports health and wellbeing. As a not-for-profit community interest company, we’re committed to sustainability and improving the world around us for future generations.
That’s why this World Bee Day, we’re giving colleagues biodegradable wildflower seed paper to plant in their local spaces, it’s a small gesture with the potential for big impact.
One DHU colleague who knows this better than most is Jonathon Atkin, NHS 111 Clinical Site Manager – and experienced beekeeper.
“I reluctantly started keeping bees over 15 years ago, when a friend left a baby hive (called a 'Nuc') in my garden. I quickly became hooked. I went from one hive to over thirty, and over the years have bred queen bees and even tried artificial insemination. These days I take a more relaxed approach, but the fascination hasn’t worn off.
“Despite growing up on a farm, I didn’t truly appreciate just how essential bees are to human life until I began beekeeping. Bees are essential pollinators, supporting biodiversity and contributing to around 35–40% of the world’s food production. Yet they face increasing threats from climate change, habitat loss, and pollution. By planting flowers that bees love, we can create safe havens that help protect these incredible creatures and the ecosystems we rely on.
Jonathon’s journey into beekeeping has deepened his appreciation for how vital bees are to our survival.“Bees are simple-looking creatures, yet they have one of the biggest impacts on life as we know it. Every time they visit a flower for nectar, they transfer pollen, allowing fruits and crops to grow. By planting even a few pollinator-friendly plants, we can give them a snack that helps keep our entire food chain going.”
To mark World Bee Day, we’re encouraging colleagues to plant their seed paper, share photos of their wildflower patches, and join us in celebrating the bees that keep our world buzzing.
