Volunteer gardeners work on space at Naomi House and Jacksplace
They're refurbished the garden at the Ocean bereavement suite
Volunteer gardeners have refurbished the garden of a bereavement suite at a Hampshire hospice for children and young people.
The work at the Ocean site, at Naomi House & Jacksplace involved re-purposing materials and adding a new enclosed space to the garden.
That will provide families who use the Ocean suite with a calming outdoor environment, as the charity say when families are dealing with difficult emotions, they can still benefit from the therapeutic elements of connecting with nature, in privacy.
Martina Mukerji, Family Support Counsellor at Naomi House & Jacksplace, said:
“The Ocean suite is for families to be able to spend time with their loved one after they have died, before they are taken into the care of the funeral directors. The room gives them space for their thoughts after the shock of losing their family member, whilst we look after their other needs, including practical and emotional support.
“Ocean’s secluded garden is invaluable for families to be able to sit outside and have quiet time where they won’t be disturbed. If the family are inside, then being able to look out onto such a beautiful, well-maintained garden is also beneficial and offers comfort, peace and privacy.”
Phil, Volunteer Gardener at Naomi House & Jacksplace, said:
“Before we started the project, the gardens were all lawn, and it was hard to maintain. We started the project by weeding the garden, laying down fresh compost and pea shingles.
“Keeping the project sustainable was important to us. A lot of the materials we used to refresh the garden were re-purposed and upcycled. The metal for the new enclosed space came from an old gazebo and was painted. We also re-purposed slabs and bricks from an old construction and re-laid them for a new garden path.”
The Ocean bereavement suite is a part of Naomi House & Jacksplace’s specialist bereavement services.
It's in Jacksplace which support young adults with life limiting conditions.
The hospices also provide a bereavement suite in Naomi House for children, called Butterfly.
Both suites provide families with a private space to say goodbye to their loved ones.