Local charity GROW, which stands for Gardens Restore Our Wellbeing, is planning to design and build practical but tranquil gardens for patients, visitors and staff at Lincolnshire’s hospitals.
The first garden to be transformed is ward 6 at Grantham and District Hospital, and following a huge £9,500 donation from the League of Friends of Grantham Hospital, the garden can now blossom.
Simon Needham, Chairman of the League of Friends of Grantham Hospital, which has raised around £1 million for the hospital in the last 49 years, said: “We are delighted to have been able to make this donation. It has only been possible thanks to all of those who’ve supported the League of Friends, especially those who have been tirelessly fundraising for us.”
Ward 6 cares for people who’ve had a stroke or have respiratory issues, and the new garden will aid patients with their rehabilitation. It will also provide a much needed space for family and friends to go when visiting their loved ones.
Nikki Applewhite, GROW founder and garden landscaper, said: “When my father was in hospital for a long period, there was nowhere for us to take him or for us to go if we needed some time to ourselves. We hope that GROW will make people’s time in hospital, whether as a patient or a visitor, a better experience.
“We can’t thank the League of Friends of Grantham hospital enough for this donation. It’s a great boost and will allow us to complete the garden before the end of summer.”
The bespoke garden design will be accessible for all patients on the ward, will have plants which can weather all seasons and will be a great habitat for wildlife.
Staff, patients and the people of Grantham continue to fundraise for the ward 6 garden, as the total cost of the transformation is around £15,000.
Ward 6 Sister, Tracy Pemberton, said: “All of us on the ward would like to say a huge thanks to the League of Friends for their incredibly kind donation. We’re looking forward to taking our patients outside to enjoy the sunshine and our occupational therapists will be able to do some gardening with them too! This will make such a difference to our patients and we’re very excited.”
Once it’s ready for patients and visitors to enjoy, GROW will start work on another garden for United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which has hospitals in Grantham, Lincoln, Boston and Louth. To donate to GROW, please visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/hospitalgardens