As part of this care, horticultural therapy sessions are provided in the hospital gardens to help facilitate recovery as well as educational and recreational opportunities including planting seeds and growing vegetables. The feedback from these sessions has been so positive and demonstrated the need for the garden to be further developed so the space can be best used to facilitate patients recovery.

Currently, only half of the garden can be used by patients to participate in activities as the other half is highly uneven and unusable. Our ambition is to develop this area and create a cocooning and safe space. We want to ensure that as many aspects of the garden as possible are accessible for all patients, with incorporated accessible pathways for wheelchair users, those with balance and postural challenges, reduce mobility, or risk of falls. 

Therefore, we are seeking funding for the ‘Let’s get gardening project’ to use this space to create a sensory garden for patients to engage in recovery-focused activities, such as Tai Chi as well as providing a seating area for patients to socialise, relax and reflect. It will also include a sensory walkway made from several different materials like stones, logs, bark etc, designed for the patients to engage their senses whilst improving their balance and posture.

The sensory garden will support patients’ sensory integration with nature, provide an opportunity to explore nature and activate their vestibular, proprioceptive and tactile systems.  These are fundamental ways that are central to helping mental health patients’ recovery.

What your donation could help us achieve

We have raised to date a total of £5,000 through community fundraising and local donations but we still need to raise the remaining £15,000. Can you help us?

Your donation, whatever you can afford, will help us to grow our plans into reality. 

How you can help

• Fundraise for us - please contact lpt.raisinghealth@nhs.net
• Share our appeal web page with your friends, family or colleagues.
• Talk about the appeal to your networks and letting us know of any fundraising opportunities, however big or small.
• Make a donation today!