Hospital garden and family room get a makeover | Our News

Hospital garden and family room get a makeover

Ferndale Ward Outdoor space

On 5 April 2017, trustees of local charity Evelyn’s Gift and a team of approximately 35 volunteers from Jaguar Land Rover worked together on a collaborative project to enhance the outdoor space at St Michael’s Hospital in Warwick.

St Michael’s Hospital is a purpose built facility providing age independent inpatient mental health care run by the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust.

Three garden areas (alongside Ferndale, Larches and Willowvale wards) have been overhauled and brought to life with a range of new planters and plants provided by Barn Close Nurseries in Warwick. One of the courtyard gardens, which was previously out of use because of trip hazards, has also been made safe and accessible for the patients to use and enjoy. The area at the front of the hospital has also been brightened up with new plants.

In addition, the day saw the official opening of the Family Room on Willowvale Ward by Christine Cross, Mayor of Warwick. With the support of former Mayor of Warwick, Mandy Littlejohn, Evelyn’s Gift decorated the room and provided soft furnishings and books’, turning what was once an unloved space into a pleasant and relaxing room for patients to spend time with their families. The artist, Rachel Nacer, also painted a beautiful mural in the room featuring Evelyn’s Gift’s ‘Be happy’ logo.

Helen Smith, who founded Evelyn’s Gift in memory of her daughter Evelyn who died suddenly in 2013, commented: “I suffer from PTSD and so I am very conscious of how mental health problems can affect anyone. I hope that this project, in memory of Evelyn, will go some way to help people cope with mental illness.”

Speaking about the new family room and garden Bev McGrory, Team Coordinator at St Michael’s Hospital said: “If it wasn’t for the generosity and contribution from everyone involved I wouldn’t have had a role to play. I am privileged that I could be a part of this transformation, all be it ‘behind the scenes’, by liaising with the ward staff and the project teams. It was definitely a day well spent.”

For further information about Evelyn’s Gift charity contact Helen Smith on 07866 875356 or email evelynsgift@hotmail.com.

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