Royal Cornwall Hospital opens new children's garden for young patients
It has been set up to help them enjoy the outdoors when they have to visit Treliske
Last updated 29th Jun 2022
Cornwall's main hospital has a new 'Garden of Freedom' children's garden for young patients and their families.
Opened by a young patient on Wednesday 29th June, the 'Garden of Freedom' is a colourful space for young people to take their minds off their hospital visit before, during or after their treatment.
The Play Therapy Team at RCHT said: "We want to give children access to a diverse landscape which will entertain, inspire and absorb them, taking them out of the hospital environment and into a world of their own imagination".
RCHT's General Manager for Women, Children and HIV Services who described the garden as a place for youngsters to enjoy the outdoors.
Caroline Chappell said: "We are delighted to open this ‘Garden of Freedom’ today and hope it will be a wonderful space for our younger patients and their families to enjoy over many years to come, such was its predecessor, the Play 4 Life Garden".
Caroline continued: "I'd like to acknowledge the tremendous amount of hard work from everyone both within the Trust and also amongst our partners and suppliers, particularly those who have donated so much.
"This is a true community project where the people and local companies and organisations of Cornwall have come together to create something incredibly special".
The design is safe and protected for children, with accessible and sensory places for play and exploration.
It will be home to more than 200 plants, shrubs, herbs and trees as well as natural insect wildlife.
It includes a play hut for children to play in, benches and bug hotels from Kier Construction and Cornwall College and a colourful nature themed mural provided by Cornish fashion company Seasalt.
A fundraising campaign has now been set up to continue to add some other play equipment to the space including a swing.
Melanie Gilbert, Royal Cornwall Hospital said: "The additional play equipment we are fundraising for will provide an extra stimulus for our patients to explore an area outside of the hospital ward environment.
"Play can help children and young people have a more positive experience of hospital and improve their wellbeing. It is also proven to reduce anxiety, fear and stress associated with being in hospital".
You can read more and donate to the garden's fundraising appeal for equipment on the Just Giving page.