Posted on: 21 Apr 2023
Over the past 15 years, Nottingham Hospitals Charity has funded numerous projects across all four Nottingham NHS hospitals that have made an impact on patients, staff wellbeing, and brought nature back to our hospitals.
As you come to QMC via tram, you may notice a lovely green area underneath the pathway. This tranquillity garden was designed in collaboration with footballer Joe Cole and his wife Carly. The garden serves as an area for staff and patients to take time away from the hospital for reflection and to better connect with nature.
The garden, which opened in October 2020, is now maintained by a team of volunteers who are always ensuring that is enjoyable for everyone who visits and works at QMC.
Working with Nottingham Panthers team players and fans, we were able to revamp the Trent Cardiac Centre garden, which has made it more accessible for patients who are being treated for heart conditions within the centre and to add some colour for visitors and staff.
The project came about after the late Nottingham Panthers General Manager, Gary Moran, was treated at the centre and underwent open-heart surgery right here in Nottingham. Sadly, Gary has since passed away, but patients will enjoy the Trent Cardiac Garden for years to come in his memory.
The Hayward House garden brings some needed respite for patients undergoing end of life care. The gardens, which are maintained by volunteers from Mapperley and Arnold Rotary Club, have a wide range of flowers, plants and trees which bloom throughout different seasons of the year. The garden is often used by patients, families and members of staff.
Last year, to mark the launch of the Hayward House Appeal, we placed wildlife cameras within the grounds to see what wildlife visited the gardens. You can watch these here.
The Hayward House Appeal is also aiming to help improve these gardens and make them more accessible for patients who may be bed- or wheelchair-bound. You can help us make this possible by donating here.
One of our original funded gardens is the Ear Nose and Throat garden, which saw a disused courtyard become a quiet, calm, accessible space for patients who have been treated in the department.
The ENT department sees more than 3,500 patients each year with a proportion of these receiving difficult diagnoses of cancer within the mouth and throat. This garden helps them step away for a moment of contemplation and to help digest the news.
A £13,000 grant funded items such as planters and trees, which has helped create a green space in the middle of the hospital environment.
All our gardens are funded with the help of our supporters, legacy donors and friends. There are many ways you can help us continue to provide areas such as these including taking on a fundraising event, become a Nottingham Hospitals Charity Friend or leaving a gift in your Will.
If you have any questions or would like more information about any of our funded gardens, please get in touch.
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