A spinal cord injury is a traumatic, life-changing event. 

It is estimated that there are 50,000 people in the UK living with a spinal injury and each year approximately 2,500 people are newly injuries.* 

The majority of patients spend upwards of two months in hospital and during that time they have little to no access to the outside world.** 

Horatio’s Garden is working to change that.

* Source: BackUp Trust 
** Source: Horatio’s Garden Impact Report 2019

What is a spinal cord injury? 

The spinal cord is an extension of your brain. It’s a bundle of nerves and other tissue extending from the base of the brain at the top of your neck right down the length of your back. It is protected by bones, or vertebrae, which make up the spine and by spinal fluid. 

The interaction between the brain and spinal cord are vital for controlling bodily functions. The spinal cord is responsible for communicating messages to and from the brain from all parts of the body. These messages and impulses help us to move our bodies, feel pressure or pain and control vital functions such as breathing, blood pressure, bladder and bowels. 

If the spinal cord is damaged or injured, then some of these messages and impulses may be interrupted. A spinal cord injury can be caused by a trauma, like an accident, or as a result of infection of disease. 

Most injuries cause partial or total loss of feeling or movement in the parts of the body below the level of the injury, including limbs and internal organs. If the damage or break in the spine is close to your neck, this will cause paralysis in a larger part of your body than damage to the spinal cord lower down your back. However, loss of movement and sensation will vary from person to person, even if the spinal cord is damaged in the same place. 

Alongside the physical impact of a spinal cord injury, there are also immense emotional and psychological effects on the person concerned and their loved ones. 

This is where Horatio’s Garden offers support. 

Supporting Patients & Loved Ones

Each Horatio’s Garden offers patients, their loved ones and NHS staff a beautiful sanctuary where they can relax away from the ward. 

Research conducted by both the charity and external organisations demonstrates that being in contact with a natural environment contributes to people having an improved sense of wellbeing, which in turn has a particularly positive impact on patients’ and their loved ones as they adjust to life with a spinal cord injury.

As the majority of patients face extended stays in hospitals far from home, Horatio’s Garden becomes an integral part of people’s lives over many months. Visits from family and friends are precious and the gardens give everyone a comfortable, warm and welcoming place to simply enjoy each other’s company.

“It’s good to have a place where you can just take some time to consider everything. Being able to sit and chat to other patients and families in the garden is a real comfort.”

Furthermore, the gardens are fully accessible and expertly designed to ensure that patients can visit them independently whenever they like. Every garden has quiet, intimate places of repose, giving everyone the chance to think and reflect if they need to, whilst simultaneously offering people the opportunity to be part of a thriving community of fellow patients and families. 

“Horatio’s Garden has given me a safe place to go to, either by myself or with my family when they visit. I enjoy going to the garden to do activities with other patients, or to just sit and think when I’ve got a lot on my mind. It has made me so much happier, especially because I can go out there and be independent.”   

Every week the charity organise a range of activities and workshops for patients, their families and friends in collaboration with hospital staff. Everyone is welcome to join in, with activities ranging from therapeutic gardening and art to support patients’ mental and physical rehabilitation, to seasonal events with delicious food, live music and more. 

Patients and their loved ones will always be at the heart of what we do and we are committed to doing everything we can to support them throughout their time in hospital and beyond.