The coronavirus pandemic has claimed tens of thousands of lives across England with over 300 lives lost at the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We are looking to create a beautiful wellbeing garden to remember and celebrate the lives of those we lost (to COVID and beyond) and become a living legacy in which families and colleagues can remember their loved ones for years to come.
The garden will be located around the balancing pond at the entrance of the hospital and will be beautifully landscaped with modern perennial planting, colourful boarders, and new trees. The existing walkway will be widened for greater accessibility for wheelchair users and will become a tranquil space.
The garden will be made up of 8 zones combing modern perennial planting schemes with raised seating areas. The garden will showcase three focal points to the north, south and east of the pond. The areas include a lath house with roof and seating area protecting people from the elements and providing a quiet place for contemplation, a raised seating area surrounded by raised planters for people to enjoy a hidden jungle with far reaching views across the pond, and finally a sunken garden with two stunning moon gates that people pass through amongst the colourful boarders.
We will include sculptures by local artists to showcase local talent as well as celebrate the NHS. These sculptures will feature along the path and within the planted boarders and will become talking points. Interactive areas with sensory features as well as a fun facts trail incorporating wellbeing messages will lead through the garden design.
You can donate to the garden as a whole, sponsor a zone or feature. All donor names will be included on an online dedication page (unless you have requested to remain anonymous) and donations over £200 will have a commemorative plaque added to the garden.
Click to donate and find out more. Thank you!
