JanineA partnership between the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) and the NHS has been formed to develop a healing space for staff, patients, and the local community here in East Leeds.
In 2022, the RHS partnered with the NHS Trust at University Hospital Lewisham to co-create its first healing garden for hospital staff affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The garden enabled NHS staff to take a break from their intense workloads and gives them a space to relax and reflect. This year RHS and NHS are creating a second healing garden at St James’ hospital in Leeds.
“Gardens have many healing powers that medicines do not have
Member of staff, Royal Horticultural Society
The RHS has been building community partnerships over the past three years to engage, train and up-skill local volunteers and staff to look after the garden into the future.
RHS Community Outreach Advisers held well-being workshops in the area last autumn, where local people enjoyed planting spring bulbs, sewing lavender bags and creating seasonal wreaths.
“Making the lavender cushion was really mind calming because I put my focus on it and made something I can use at home”
Participant
The garden build, designed by Adam Frost and NHS staff, is due to commence this year and be finished by Christmas. Find out more here: https://www.rhs.org/get-involved/community-garden/healing-garden.
For more information on the garden and also how you get involved with the RHS Big Seed Sow, contact alisonvarley@rhs.org
East Side Story will continue to follow the development of this fantastic new space!
Article by Ellen Wilson
