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One of the biggest projects that NCH&C's Charitable Fund has supported so far is the creation of a patient therapy garden at Kelling Hospital, completed in 2017. 

The Kelling Hospital was originally sited because the physical environment was conducive to recovery.  Extensive gardens were created to adjoin the wards but as the scale of inpatient services were reduced and confined to the Pineheath Ward, access to therapeutic and relaxing outside space was not maximised. 

NCH&C Charitable Fund worked with the Patient Environment Group and the Friends of Kelling Hospital, to transform the external environment into a therapy garden for patients, visitors and staff.

The gardens were specifically designed to encourage family/career and volunteer engagement. This enabled patients to have enhanced care in addition to that supplied by clinical staff.

The structured garden and outdoor therapy area was created to the rear of the Ward to blend with the patient Day Room. The Pineheath ward gardens draw inspiration from the local environment and was planted with trees, shrubs, and perennials to provide year-round interest from bark, stems, flowers and leaves.

The front garden has been designed to promote rehabilitation; linking two locally-themed areas, a seaside garden and a railway waiting room, and featuring gravel and astro-turfed paths, steps, ramps and gates. These will allow physiotherapists and nurses to work with patients adapting to new life circumstances, and building their confidence and capability so they can return home as soon as possible. 

The rear garden is secluded and sheltered, providing a green space close to the hospital ward, where patients and families can spend time away from the clinical environment.

We worked with local garden designer Jackie Finch from Finch Garden Design to create this beautiful functional space.

The total project was cost £126,830 and was completed in 2017.

These gardens will benefit future patients with varied physical and mental needs for many years in the future.