We set out to turn under-used, existing land at Parklands Mental Health hospital into a garden with distinct therapeutic qualities.

This project has been set up in partnership with Sparsholt College (Horticultural) and military veterans through Help for Heroes since the hospital houses and MoD specific unit alongside general adult mental health services.

The garden will be sensory based and be used for quiet contemplation and relaxation in conjunction with being a suitable space for privacy, much needed e.g. for the military patients who often receive colleagues from their units. It will furthermore have an important role for all patients through providing a suitable space for group therapy and mindfulness sessions.

At the start of 2020 we can now proudly say that the Garden is nearly ready for use! 

Despite the most appalling weather in October & November, especially the heavy rain, the team managed to finish the garden structure and get the plants delivered.

The paving and decking, plus the artificial turf are down and 2/3 of the plants have been identified and placed in the right beds. Sounds simple- but plants that are dormant in winter with no leaves to use for identification are not easy!

This spring we have to finish off the planting – a mere 300 + plants, connect up the water rill (not easily seen in the photo above) and dig 25 bags of compost into clay soil in the remaining three flowerbeds. Hard work, but we have quite a few volunteers and so, weather permitting, we will have this done by Easter.

We are fortunate in that Help for Heroes are making us a bench and a veteran, Max Barnikel Ex REME and Army Air Force (at 85yrs old!) is making us a second bench, having seen the garden showcased on ITV Meridien broadcast in late October.
If you missed it, check out this link: https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2019-11-26/how-a-new-therapy-garden-is-helping-mental-health-patients-serving-in-the-armed-forces

We are still raising funds, as we do need to buy garden furniture, some pots and a lockable shed for the garden tools, hosepipe etc. If you would like to help contribute, then please do check out this page!