"Gardens of Hope" help west country children deal with loss
A partnership between schools and Winston's Wish is helping kids learn about bereavement
We've been hearing about the huge difference special bereavement gardens have made for kids in the west country, after being set up at primary schools across the region.
The so-called Gardens of Hope have been created thanks to a partnership between schools and the charity Winston's Wish, with over twenty primary schools across Gloucestershire and Bristol taking part in ‘The Growing Hope Project’.
The idea is the gardens help connect children with others their age who have had similar bereavement experiences, whilst allowing them to access support and share understanding with one another.
Emma Tyer, Project Creator and Manager of Growing Hope at Winston’s Wish said: "Observing the changes that plants go through in their own growing life cycle helps children to understand the concept of life and death."
Billy is eight years old.
“I like going to the Garden of Hope because it makes me think of my Nan, and I miss the hugs and kisses," he said.
"I have grown sunflowers for her, and I am going to take them to her grave.”
Another pupil who found the Garden a place of comfort was Maisie, who is also eight.
“When I have my lunch, I always go to the Garden of Hope to find the lavender as it was her favourite," she said.
"I talk to her about school, and it makes me feel calm.“
It is hoped the project provides emotional tools and activities to strengthen the understanding of grief and bereavement across schools and local community.
Laura Hewetson, Growing Hope practitioner at Winston’s Wish said: “Through the Growing Hope project, children can realise that they are not alone and that the many emotions we feel when grieving such as sadness, anger, anxiety, guilt, fear, denial, disbelief, and confusion are part of the journey.
"It's also important to give them a space to feel joyful and happy and remember that being able to laugh is also allowed.
"Using metaphors from nature, such as the weather and the seasons, to talk about emotions can really help with this.“
Alongside the therapeutic benefits of a place to grow plants and reflect on their special people, these gardens help grow their supportive network by spending time with other children who’ve experienced similar.
The collaborative nature of the project helps children and their parents to better cope with their loss and reduces the experience of isolation that is often associated with being bereaved.
The project is funded by local charitable trusts such as D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust and The Foundation for Children, amongst others.
It has supported at least 74 children across the region, with an additional 50 children across Bristol in the last year alone.
Pauline Getter, Leader and coordinator of The Growing Hope project at Wansdyke Primary said: “We were so proud to have been part of Winston’s Wish Growing Hope project last year.
"We started the year with 10 children and through personal circumstances; the numbers sadly grew to 15.
"Children grieve in a unique way and we give them time in our garden to grieve and share at their own pace.
"The Children themselves changed the name ‘Growing Hope’ to the Garden of Hope reflecting their safe space.
"At Wansdyke we are blessed with grounds that allow the children to feel part of nature and this allows them to feel more connected to the surroundings and the rhythms of life, where the children are encouraged to listen and support each other."
If you’d like to learn more getting involved in Growing Hope or the therapeutic use of gardening, head to winstonswish.org/growing-hope