Primrose Hospice | Community Gardens

Here at Garden Store we love hearing all about the amazing gardening projects that are going on in the areas local to our stores. Over the past few months, working with support and encouragement from Cultivation Street, we have made new connections with local charities and organisations and found new ways to work together.

Primrose Hospice an independent charity supporting patients and families living with a life-limiting illness across North East Worcestershire. They are a Day Hospice, Family Support Service and Primrose at Home Service. It is important for them to receive regular donations to provide all of the services for free. The Day Hospice at St Godwalds Road is open 4 days a week to patients. There are gardens that surround the Hospice which are a constant work in progress. The aim of the gardening volunteers is to create and maintain a relaxing and peaceful space for the patients and families to enjoy.

The gardening volunteers are just a few of the many volunteers who work at the hospice. Primrose  could not function without the dedicated team, who offer their time for free in a variety of areas. Many are people in the community that have been touched by Primrose Hospice in some way and working in the gardens can offer them continued support, a sense of purpose along with an opportunity to give back!

The garden itself is large and wraps around all sides of the Hospice. The space isn't only a great place to sit and relax, hold children's activities and take sessions, but it also creates amazing views from all the communal spaces and treatment rooms. The garden is full of quiet spaces with seating and shade so people can find a spot to relax and enjoy their surroundings. Other features include a huge pond, a willow archway and patio area. The garden offers a safe and relaxing space to patients, their family and also the staff and volunteers that work there.

An amazing feature of the garden is a huge soil and planted dragon called Goswald. The dragon was designed, created and names with the help of the children connected with the hospice. This is part of the the children's garden. They have a number of children coming to the centre who need support and services when someone in their family has received a diagnosis. Often children enjoy the garden with their families, using it as a space spend to time together and talk. It is also a great space for the children's groups and activities that Primrose holds. The children's area is a great place to be with its hot air balloon mural, water feature and fire pit. Many features within this area are an aid for the staff to encourage children to talk about bereavement and open up about how they are feeling.

The whole garden has been created using grants and kind donations. As with all charities, funding is an ongoing challenge for Primrose Hospice. If you would like to find out more about donating or getting involved, take a look at the links below!

primrosehospice.org

Primrose Hospice Twitter

Primrose Hospice Facebook