Rutland Lions help restore the End of Life garden at Rutland Memorial Hospital

13 Jul 2026

On a warm and sunny day, members of the Rutland Lions rolled up their sleeves and dedicated their time and energy to transforming the small courtyard garden, which had become heavily overgrown over the years. What was once an underused space has now been given a new lease of life, creating the foundations for a peaceful and welcoming environment for patients, families and staff.

The project came about thanks to the dedication of one of the hospital’s regular volunteers, Jean, who recognised the potential of the garden and approached the Rutland Lions for support. As always, Jean’s commitment to improving experiences for patients has been instrumental in bringing people together to make positive change happen.

The Rutland Lions Club, a charitable service organisation based in Oakham and established in 1975, has a long-standing reputation for supporting local communities and causes. Their willingness to step forward and tackle this demanding task demonstrates the community spirit and generosity that the organisation is so well known for.

Steve Evans, one of the members of the group said: "Rutland Lions have been pleased to help with this community project for Oakham. To bring a neglected garden back to tender care for the benefit of patients has been very worthwhile. We were also able to enlist the support of Marc Smith (MS Exterior Cleaning) who did an excellent job on the paving and walled areas. Dave, one of our members, also took time to repaint the benches. All considered, a great outcome."

Carla Yaxley, the ward sister said: “The transformation of the courtyard marks the first stage of an exciting wider project. Our registered charity, Raising Health, is now working on bringing more colour, planting and features to further enhance the space. The vision is to create a beautiful, calming garden that can offer comfort, reflection and a connection with nature during some of life’s most difficult moments.”

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Rutland Lions for their hard work, enthusiasm and dedication. Their efforts have made an immediate difference and will leave a lasting impact on those who use the garden in the future.

Special thanks also go to Jean, whose continued involvement in supporting the Trust across many different projects and initiatives is truly invaluable. Her passion, commitment and ability to inspire others to get involved help make improvements like this possible.

This project is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when volunteers, community organisations and charities work together.