Healthy Travel Charter Signed on Great Big Green Week

7 July 2025

Velindre University NHS Trust has signed the Healthy Travel Charter - an initiative by Healthy Travel Wales to demonstrate commitment to supporting walking, cycling, public transport, and low emission vehicle use.

Sustainability Manager Rhiannon Freshney (right) and Energy and Environment Officer Ella Williamson (left) were joined by Interim Executive Director of Transformation Lauren Fear (middle) to sign the charter in Noddfa Gardens at Velindre Cancer Centre.

Velindre University NHS Trust joins Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), Public Health Wales, Swansea Bay University Health Board and Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust in the NHS Wales organisations that have signed the Charter.

The signing of the Healthy Travel Charter came as part of Great Big Green Week – an initiative run by the Trust’s Sustainability team to not only highlight the importance of sustainability in the workplace, but also to encourage staff to embrace eco-conscious habits in their everyday lives.

Throughout the campaign, staff were invited to take part in a variety of environmentally friendly activities, including:

Bike repair sessions with Dr Bike, a free for staff bike maintenance and MOT service run by Cardiff Council.
Staff litter picks at all of our sites, including a collaborative clean-up at Royal Glamorgan Hospital with Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board.
Wildlife safari with Dot from Butterfly Conservation, offering a closer look at local biodiversity.
The launch of the Trust’s Climate Action Board
The Sustainability Stop - a drop-in hub where staff could explore practical ways to make their work more environmentally friendly.

Great Big Green Week concluded on a high note with the NHS Wales Sustainability Conference at Swansea Arena, where Lauren Fear delivered an inspiring keynote on the sustainable vision for the new Velindre Cancer Centre.

“I really enjoyed the two weeks and loved meeting and engaging with staff across the Trust. Signing the Healthy Travel Charter was a big step forward, and it was inspiring to meet so many people passionate about sustainability - both at home and at work. I’m excited to keep building momentum, plan more events, and keep pushing to make the Trust as sustainable as possible!”

- Ella Williamson, Energy and Environment Officer