A newly refurbished hospital memorial garden has been officially opened, creating a peaceful space for reflection for staff, their families, patients and visitors.
The project was made possible through £11,487 of Conservation Enhancement Scheme Funding from Natural England secured by Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s charity Well Wishers for Walsall Manor Hospital.
Groundwork West Midlands enhanced the internal courtyard at the hospital to create a nature-filled space for staff to take time to reflect and remember family, friends and colleagues they have lost.
Joe Chadwick-Bell, Group Chief Executive, said: “Our staff have felt the impact of losing colleagues over the years, whether that’s to COVID or other illnesses. Looking to provide some comfort, the Trust’s Well Wishers charity has helped to create a memorial for staff and their families
“This space has been achieved in collaboration with staff, charity Trustees and the public who were all invited to make suggestions and feedback
“The project also highlights the Trust’s commitment to protecting our local environment, as the plants will create habitats for bees and butterflies. Overall, it’s about looking after our people and the planet.”
Melissa Underwood, Land and Environment Manager for Groundwork West Midlands, said: “We’re proud to have helped create this peaceful memorial garden at Walsall Manor Hospital—a space where staff, patients and visitors can connect with nature and find comfort while supporting local wildlife.”
Local sculptor Oliver Wellings, who was born in the Manor Hospital, created a sculpture from recycled metal in the middle of the garden allowing for personal messages to be added using padlocks.
The opening event this week saw staff and families also invited to a special ceremony in the evening to mark the new garden.
Terri-Ann Tolley’s mum Dawn Noon, a cleaner, died four years ago and had worked at the Trust for almost 25 years.
She said: “This is a very beautiful garden. My mum loved life and her job and was bubbly. It’s good that me and her work friends can come here and think about her.”
Laura Hu and Helen Halsall, Senior Sisters with the Sepsis Outreach Response Team (SORT) came to remember their ICU colleague Rob Villaneuva who died three years ago.
They said: “It’s important for staff to have somewhere away from the wards to be able to spend some quiet time – either on their own or with their team.”
Georgie Westley, Fundraising Manager at Walsall Healthcare, said: “This has been a really meaningful project to be involved with and seeing staff and their families at the opening and placing locks on the tree with personal messages made it all worthwhile. It was a very heartwarming moment.”
Amber Marquand, Health & Wellbeing Higher Officer at Natural England, said: “This has been a brilliant opportunity to bring the benefits of nature to Walsall Manor Hospital and its entire community.
“We know, for example, that connecting to nature can reduce anxiety and boost general wellbeing and even aid faster recovery from illness and surgery.
“We hope this project will provide a great long-lasting asset for staff, patients, visitors and nature.”
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