Hospital gardens get makeover
Trustees of local charity Evelyn’s Gift and a team of 20 volunteers from Jaguar Land Rover’s Global Financial Services Team 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 our Trust.
Three garden areas (alongside Ferndale, Cedarwood and Willowvale wards) have been overhauled and brought to life with a range of new planters, bark and plants. The area at the front of the hospital has also been brightened up with new plants.
Helen Smith, who founded Evelyn’s Gift in memory of her daughter Evelyn, commented: “Whenever we work with Jaguar Land Rover at St Michael’s, we receive a warm welcome and it is inspirational to see different organisations working together to make a big difference. The Jaguar Land Rover volunteers spent the first part of the day undertaking training in CPR and defibrillator use, delivered by Warwickshire Hearts charity; skills which could help them save lives in the future.”
Speaking about the renovated gardens, Bev McGrory, Team Co-ordinator at St Michael’s Hospital, said: “It’s always a pleasure to welcome Evelyn’s Gift and the volunteers from Jaguar Land Rover. Over the past few years we have had different teams come to the hospital and transform the garden areas. They do this as a team building exercise, which benefits the patients, visitors and staff at the hospital.”
Rehana Hayden, Jaguar Land Rover Project Lead, explained: “The project at St Michael’s Hospital was a fantastic team building event. We all got a great sense of achievement carrying out the garden restoration and gained valuable lifesaving skills from Warwickshire Hearts. We are very proud to make a positive contribution to the hospital and hope the gardens are enjoyed by many patients and contribute to their wellbeing.”
For further information about our Trust, visit www.covwarkpt.nhs.uk. For more information about Evelyn’s Gift or Warwickshire Hearts charities, contact Helen Smith on 07866 875356 or email evelynsgift@hotmail.com