The works began last summer to build a relaxing and peaceful outdoor space. Colleagues could spend a little time to relax here during their busy day. Since then, there have been regular wellbeing workshops and two Gardening Club sessions each month. A series of events have also taken place. The Lord Mayor was welcomed to a thank you event for Volunteers Week. There was also 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 or holding meetings outdoors. People have enjoyed 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. It 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. 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, Leeds Teaching Hospitals
The wellbeing garden and workshops have helped with her day-to-day health and mental wellbeing at work. It has enabled her to have a space to go to, very close to work, when she feels stressed during a busy day. She can be with nature in a calm quiet place and then return to work feeling refreshed.
A patient in Bexley Wing enjoying the fresh air
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!
A visit from Fran
She used the wellbeing garden at St James’ recently when her partner was in hospital for a few days. She found the space to be incredibly calming and peaceful. Her partner loved the freshness of the herbs she was able to gather from the garden and take on to the ward for him. She said 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.