A wonderful new outdoor reflective space for patients and staff is now open at the Spiritual Wellbeing department St Mary's Hospital in Kettering.
The "Shifting Sands" garden officially opened on Monday 20th September.
It is a place that means a lot everyone involved in the project and beyond.
Monday (20 September) saw the opening of the “Shifting Sands” Garden which is a new reflective space at the Spiritual Wellbeing department St Mary’s Hospital, Kettering.
The hospital, which is managed by Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT), provides specialist care for people across the county.
Made possible from funding from Northamptonshire Health Charity (NHC), the new “Shifting Sands” Garden will provide a place for patients and staff to find a moment of peace in their day.
The project has led by Odette Douglas, Chaplain at NHFT’s Spiritual Wellbeing Department.
The idea began during the pandemic after discussion with staff, patients and service users.
Shifting Sands describes the feeling of ever-changing circumstances and the need a for a bit of solid ground at times of challenge.
This reflective space provides this solid ground at St Mary’s Hospital.
Odette said: “The garden aims to bring a feeling of tranquillity to all who enter it with space for reflection.
We all need a bit of stillness in our day and there is nothing more restorative that sitting in nature even if only for a few moments.
We were fortunate to have two fantastic garden designers, Alex and Will Pettitt, who understood the concept of Shifting Sands, as well as mental health and wellbeing.
Together they produced a truly amazing garden for us.” Colleagues from NHFT were joined by patients and representatives from NHC for the commemorate opening of the garden, which was officially opened by Liz Robinson, Head of Occupational Health and Wellbeing at NHFT who supported the project and was delighted to be asked to open the garden before she retires from NHFT at the end of September.
Lorraine Devereux, Community Fundraiser for NHC, said: “The charity is really proud to be able to fund this beautiful space, as we know how important it is for both patients and staff, to have access to such areas.
The charity is able to fund these small but really important projects, that make a huge difference with the support of donations and fundraising from the local community.” Further to providing the element of peace and restoration the garden provides an area for patients to explore nature and to plant seeds and experience the process of being creative in nature, there will be a small herb garden area too which will provide some sensory benefits.
Odette continued: “The heart of spiritual wellbeing is about what gives our lives meaning and purpose and what gives us hope and peace.
Nature is such a restorative force, and we hope to facilitate exploring spiritual wellbeing in nature with service users 1-1 and in small groups.
We are so grateful to the charity and the donated funds to have been be able to build this beautiful garden for the benefit for all at St Marys Hospital.
Odette explains it’s important to acknowledge there are many unsung heroes involved in this project and it was only possible through their hard work and determination.
This peaceful oasis will make a significant difference to service users and colleague wellbeing and has been made possible thanks to funding from Northamptonshire Health Charity.
This is the registered charity for Northampton General Hospital (NGH), Kettering General Hospital (KGH) and the Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT).
The charity’s mission is to make things better for patients, their families and staff and provide funding for equipment, research and training.
To find out more visit: northamptonshirehealthcharity.co.uk