All four seasons have now blossomed and bloomed in the White Rose Wellbeing Garden at St James’s University Hospital. To mark the anniversary, The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) set up a creative mosaic-making session for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust colleagues.
The works began last summer to build a relaxing and peaceful outdoor space where colleagues can spend a little time to relax during their busy day. Since then, there have been regular wellbeing workshops, two Gardening Club sessions each month and a series of events that have included welcoming the Lord Mayor to a thank you event for Volunteers Week; a Covid memorial and a visit from the citywide Baton of Hope walk for Suicide Prevention Day.
Antony Kildare, Chair, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said: “The Wellbeing Garden at St James’s has made a genuinely positive difference to this part of our hospital site. It has been wonderful to see so many people making use of the garden, whether that’s taking time out to share a break with colleagues, holding meetings outdoors, or just enjoying the bright space during what has been an exceptionally good summer. I’ve also heard encouraging stories of patients, including some long-term inpatients, visiting the garden as part of their recovery, and using it as a goal to aim for.”
Patients and their families are welcome to use the space, which is located behind Gledhow Wing, and has a sheltered area, in addition to many seating options.
Celebratory activities on Thursday 17 September included the making of a permanent piece of mosaic art, which will be displayed on the beams of the garden’s all-weather sheltered seating space.
Visitors tried their hand at posy making at a flower bar with Bloom Sheffield and local restaurant Dishoom ran a funky chai pop-up stall and competition. There was also a beautiful anniversary vegan cake provided by wedding cake designer Sarah & Cake.
Colleagues have learned about horticulture, biodiversity and planet friendly gardening. This was thanks to a partnership between the Royal Horticultural Society and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Butterfly Conservation, Bloom Sheffield, Hepworth Wakefield and a range of local partners. Leeds Teaching Hospitals colleagues have also been given more than 1,000 plants and packets of seeds during this year.
Helena Russon who works at Leeds Teaching Hospitals said: “The wellbeing garden and workshops have helped with my day-to-day health and mental wellbeing at work by enabling me to have a space to go to, very close to work, when I am feeling stressed during a busy day. I can be with nature in a calm quiet place and then return to work feeling refreshed.”
A patient in Bexley Wing said: “It’s lovely to visit the garden and feel the fresh air after being on the ward all week. So good to be somewhere that doesn’t feel like a hospital. Wonderful to watch the bees and hoverflies on the herbs too!”
Fran, a visitor to Leeds Teaching Hospitals said: “I used the wellbeing garden at St James’ recently when my partner was in hospital for a few days. I found the space to be incredibly calming and peaceful, and he loved the freshness of the herbs I was able to gather from the garden and take on to the ward for him. Thank you for creating such a special place!”
The wellbeing garden has dozens of flowerbeds and planters, containing thousands of plants and trees, including plants known for their medicinal properties in a nod to their new hospital site home. The garden has also been designed to be pollinator friendly and has already proved popular with bees and butterflies, which have been seen visiting in their droves.