A hospital garden makeover for bereaved families in Croydon
A vital space, for bereaved families, within Croydon Hospital’s maternity unit has been given a much-needed facelift thanks to volunteers from our FM team.
A vital space, for bereaved families, within Croydon Hospital’s maternity unit has been given a much-needed facelift thanks to volunteers from our FM team.
The Garden Suite, a comforting and private area with a small therapeutic garden provides an important space for bereaved families who wish to spend time in an environment that is close to the Trust’s maternity teams.
A team of colleagues cut back shrubs, removed weeds, pressure washed pathways, planted seeds and installed new garden furniture to revamp the space, giving access to the peaceful outdoor space, away from the hospital’s clinical environment. The makeover work on the courtyard garden took place yesterday and was completed in the afternoon, ready for presenting to the nursing team at the hospital
‘The garden has been completely transformed,’ says Deborah Kelly, Chief Nurse at the Croydon Health Services NHS Trust. ‘This space is just one of the many ways we support families within our maternity unit. This initiative, led by our dedicated bereavement midwife and supported by Wates Group, will help to provide a home away from home environment for our patients at one of the most difficult times in their lives. We’re incredibly grateful for Wates’ support’.
Wates has close links with Croydon going back four generations of the Wates family, delivering construction and property development projects, and creating employment in Croydon for decades.
The garden makeover is part of our social value philosophy of supporting community projects through volunteering. More projects supporting the Croydon community are currently underway and in development.
‘It’s great to be able to help make a difference, and it is important to us that we play a part in the community by improving places and making positive differences’ says Wates Senior Account Manager, FM, and lead on the project, Steven Clarke. ‘The volunteers work locally too. They’ve done a great job, and we hope it makes a difference to the hospital and its patients.’
