Outside haven created for service users to enjoy | News and events

Disused garden space at one of Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust’s (NSFT) inpatient units has been transformed into an outside haven for service users, families and staff to enjoy.

 

The garden at Foxhall House, a men’s low secure ward in Ipswich, has been renovated to include a sensory area, wildlife meadow and pond, along with a vegetable patch where patients can grow their own produce and space for the unit’s therapy rabbit, called Hazel.

 

The facelift was the brainchild of Assistant Practitioner Jack Everett, who started the project while studying for his foundation degree.

 

“Part of my course included working on a service improvement, so I wrote a proposal to create a therapeutic garden on an unused piece of land within the ward,” said Jack, who has recently completed his apprenticeship.

 

“Holistic care is something we are passionate about at Foxhall House. I wanted to use my interest in the therapeutic benefits of nature to create a space which promotes health and wellbeing.”

 

The project was supported by the world-renowned Beth Chatto Gardens, which donated plants which stimulate the senses through touch, sight, smell and hearing to the sensory garden.

 

All of the work was carried out by Jack, working alongside NSFT colleagues and patients on the ward.

 

“The benefits this space has brought to our service users has been vast,” added Jack, who plans to continue developing the garden over the coming year. “It has given them the opportunity to spend time away from the ward environment, while enjoying the garden and getting in touch with nature has been particularly important during lockdown.

“The garden has also encouraged social interaction and helped service users to increase their exercise levels while learning new skills, which has given them a real sense of achievement.”

 

Dave Ward, Garden and Nursery Director for Beth Chatto’s Plants and Gardens, said: “We were delighted to supply a selection sensory plants for this project as we feel it is important that businesses who are not directly on the frontline support those who are.

 

“The value of spending time outside has never been so appreciated as over the past few months."