Family legacy blooms in St Luke's End of Life suite garden

2 Oct 2026

A special garden at St Luke's Hospital's End of Life suite has been transformed thanks to the generosity of a grateful family, dedicated corporate volunteers from AXA, and support from the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust's registered charity, Raising Health.

On Monday 28 September, family members, friends and colleagues came together to complete a major refurbishment of the garden surrounding the End of Life suite at St Luke's Hospital, creating a peaceful and welcoming space where patients and their loved ones can spend precious time together.

The project began with the wishes of the family of a 92-year-old patient, Pamela Jill Barnett, who spent her final days in the End of Life suite following a stroke. After being transferred from an acute hospital to the community hospital at Market Harborough, she received specialist palliative care.

Wanting to thank the staff and unit that had cared for their loved one with such compassion, the family asked for donations in lieu of funeral flowers. These donations were then enhanced through matched funding from the Raising Health charity, helping to make the garden transformation possible.

The day itself was coordinated by the charity and volunteering team, who brought together the patient's family and a team of volunteers from AXA.

Together, they tackled an enormous task. Volunteers weeded the entire garden, including painstakingly removing tiny weeds from between the gravelled area, restored and repainted a bench, refreshed planting beds and introduced a variety of flowers and plants that will provide colour, texture and seasonal interest throughout the year.

One of the features the team is most looking forward to seeing is the circular garden area bloom with daffodils next spring, creating a vibrant display for patients, visitors and staff alike.

Amy Gray, granddaughter of Jill whose memory inspired the project, said: "When my grandmother was moved to the End of Life suite, our family was facing one of the hardest times imaginable. We will always be grateful that this service was there when we needed it most. The kindness, dignity and compassion shown by the staff meant so much to all of us.

"We wanted to do something meaningful to say thank you and to make a difference for other families who will find themselves in the same situation. Knowing that this garden will provide a peaceful place for patients and loved ones to spend time together and create precious memories means a great deal to us. It feels like a fitting tribute to Mamar and a way for her legacy to continue helping others."

Callum Wright, a family friend who helped bring together the volunteer team through the AXA Hearts in Action scheme, which offers employees 3 days of paid volunteering leave annually and encourages at least 30 minutes of work-time volunteering added: "As a friend of the family, I saw first-hand how much the care and support of the End of Life suite meant to them. When the opportunity arose to combine the family's fundraising efforts with AXA's volunteering programme, it felt like a wonderful way to support a cause that was so close to their hearts.

"The team threw themselves into the project and worked incredibly hard throughout the day. Seeing the transformation of the garden and knowing it will bring comfort to so many people in the future made every minute worthwhile."

Magda Korytkowska, fundraising manager at Raising Health, said: "This project demonstrates the incredible impact that can be achieved when families, communities, corporate partners and charitable funding come together with a shared purpose.

"The End of Life suite provides a vital space where families can spend precious time together during some of life's most difficult moments. Thanks to the generosity of the family and the commitment of AXA volunteers, the garden has been transformed into an even more welcoming environment.

"We hope this story inspires others who have experienced care within our Trust to consider supporting our charity. Every donation, fundraising activity and volunteering effort helps us create projects that make a real difference to patients, families and staff."

The revitalised garden will now continue to offer a calm and reflective outdoor space for patients receiving palliative care and for the families making precious memories with their loved ones.

The project serves as a powerful reminder that acts of gratitude can leave a lasting legacy, helping future patients and families find comfort, companionship and moments of peace when they need them most.