Staff, patients and visitors at the Ashford Hospital site in Surrey are benefiting from a new sensory garden, thanks to a kind donation to the Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals’ Charity from Cllr Med Buck, Mayor of Spelthorne and volunteers from the SMP Alliance M4 project, Balfour Beatty and Mway Comms, who donated resources and their time to create the garden.
Thanks to these donations the Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals’ Charity oversaw the transformation of an unused outdoor area into an accessible and peaceful green space, which can be used by patients and staff when they need it most. The garden, which forms part of the trust’s Healing Arts Programme, is under tree canopy and features thoughtful planting that is designed to appeal to each of the senses and to offer interest all year round. It features ornamental grasses, three types of geraniums and over 100 daffodils and plants like rosemary and lavenders which are renowned for their strong scents.
Cllr Med Buck officially opened the garden on 24 April, he said: “It is both a privilege and a heartfelt joy to open the sensory garden at Ashford Hospital in Stanwell. The outdoor space was beautifully designed to bring peace and comfort to patients, visitors, and NHS staff. The garden features sensory plants, comfortable seating, and a soothing atmosphere where patients can wait for their pick-up in comfort, and our hard-working NHS staff - those silent heroes, can unwind during a coffee break or after a demanding shift.
“Let this garden remind us that healing happens in many forms - through kindness, through nature and through community and today we celebrate the spirit of togetherness that made it possible.”
Kathryn Moore, Head of the Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals’ Charity, added: “We are honoured that Cllr Buck joined us to officially open the new sensory garden which has been a real team effort. The project was only made possible thanks to generous funding from the Mayor’s Charity. We would also like to thank the volunteers from the SMP Alliance M4 project team, Balfour Beatty and Mway Comms, who helped immeasurably by laying paving and creating a base for our benches, making an accessible space for patients, visitors and staff. I hope that this special garden brings comfort to those that need to find a peaceful spot in a busy hospital setting.”
New sensory garden opened by the Mayor or Spelthorne. From left to right: Cat Cooke Arts and Design Manager - Healing Arts Programme, Cllr Med Buck, Mayor of Spelthorne, Kathryn Moore, Head of the Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals’ Charity, Lucy Romo, Voluntary Services Coordinator.
