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Patient Testimonials

A Tranquil Place

May 15 2020

"I'm a 22 year-old graduate, artist, musician, photographer, activist, nature lover. And I'm tetraplegic. Before my accident I climbed trees every day and lived a life of passionate, reckless abandon and love. On this day I have spent seven months in hospital. During this time, Horatio's Garden has given me a way to be outside, a way to meet friends, meet family, find home. I spent every evening here with my sister during the long winter. It kept me going. In September, I sat in the garden and cried for the first real time. Horatio's Garden couldn't be my wilderness, but it could be my home until I was ready to go back and face my own. Thank you."

Patient Testimonials

Supporting NHS Staff

April 15 2020

"I am so proud of all the patients and staff. We all tend to the garden whenever we can and it's always delightful to see people watering the plants or potting up seedlings. Getting away from the hospital environment has helped my wellbeing and I know many others feel the same. Horatio's Garden is a haven and to see everyone outside having fun and laughing, or even just enjoying the relaxing, atmosphere is fantastic." - Rebecca Warren, Ward Manager of The Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries

Patient Testimonials

The Importance of Nature

March 18 2020

"The garden has provided a place of healing, a place to be alone, to think, to cry, to talk openly with family and friends, to meet other patients, to practice wheelchair skills, to let nature heal. So, to everyone who has supported Horatio's Garden in any way, I thank you. The difference you have made has been amazing."

Patient Testimonials

Thoughtful Designs

March 10 2020

"Before, you had nowhere to go with your friends, or your girlfriend, just up and down the corridor. But in Horatio's Garden, you've got these alcoves. It's so peaceful and really thoughtfully done."

Patient Testimonials

A Feeling of Freedom

March 2 2020

"I think Horatio's Garden is such an amazing place. The garden is remarkable and it makes you feel so good about yourself. Being able to spend time with lots of other people who are in the same situation has helped me to feel free. Thank you very much."

Patient Testimonials

Welcoming Atmosphere

February 4 2020

"I just have to say a very big thank you to you and your excellent team of volunteers. We were always made to feel so welcome when we visited the lovely Horatio's Garden and the afternoon cups of tea and cakes were a treat! It has been a great privilege to relax in the tranquil garden.
With profound thanks."

Patient Testimonials

Moving Forwards

October 18 2019

"Firstly, thank you to Head Gardener Jacqui and all the volunteers for making us feel so welcome and as though we are part of a loving family whilst spending time so far from home. Secondly, thank you to Horatio and all his family for having the idea to create a peaceful garden. It has been so helpful throughout my rehabilitation. Finally, thank you to all the patients who have been so generous with their friendship and help whilst I've spent time here. Being in Horatio's Garden has been a real pleasure and the memory of this lovely place, which was there for us in the middle of such pain and worry, will stay with myself and my husband as we move onwards."

Patient Testimonials

Kind Volunteers

September 29 2019

"Thank you to everyone who works so hard in this wonderful garden. The volunteers are all amazing, so kind and caring. Many thanks."

Patient Testimonials

Time with other patients

August 18 2019

"Horatio's Garden fosters a sense of community amongst spinal patients that we would not otherwise have. It's a welcoming space for patients and visitors alike and it's separate from the feeling of being in a hospital. It's a respite from the worries of spinal injuries and hospital stressors."

Patient Testimonials

Improving Health & Wellbeing

August 6 2019

"I just wanted to write a little note to thank you for all that you do in Horatio's Garden. I'm sure you're aware of it already, but I really wanted to emphasise the importance of what you guys do and of the incredible resource you provide. There is no doubt in my mind that your gardens, volunteers and staff all improve the quality of life of people with spinal injuries. Thanks again and all the best."

Patient Testimonials

An Escape

July 5 2019

"On the ward, it's so stressful because there's so much noise and sometimes people knock into your bed. It's just amazing to be able to get out here into the quiet and beauty. I can't believe how many birds there are."

Patient Testimonials

A Positive Impact

July 4 2019

"As the wife of a recently paraplegic patient, I just wanted to let you know the positive impact your wonderful garden has had on both our spirits. A truly life-affirming legacy. Thank you."

Patient Testimonials

Wheelchair Skills

June 30 2019

"Thank God for this garden. Without the wheelchair training area, without patients being able to feel a camber and drop kerb and learn how to handle these, they would have no training at all. The garden is an absolute godsend. It makes so much difference being able to work with them out here. We are so lucky." - Kate Betts, Technical Instructor

Patient Testimonials

Garden Poem

June 28 2019

Warm sun on our skin,
Fresh air on our face,
Lifts spirits up high,
What a beautiful place,

The garden with colour,
Giving us space,
The plants and the flowers,
What a beautiful place,

The patients they love it,
Our saving grace,
Keeping us sane,
What a beautiful place.

Poem by NHS staff member, Helen Silver
11th May 2020

Patient Testimonials

Therapeutic Gardens

June 16 2019

“I feel better after hand therapy. I love planting things because it means a little part of me remains in the garden.”

Patient Testimonials

Thriving Communities

June 13 2019

"You run such an amazing range of activities for patients and their families. It's absolutely wonderful and I don't know what we'd do without you."

Patient Testimonials

Time with Family

April 5 2019

"Horatio's Garden has transformed Alfie's admissions for him and for us all as a family. He loves to be outside and throughout his stay he has loved planting, fishing for rubber ducks, painting a plant pot and the snacks in the garden room! Being able to escape the confines of the ward is a wonderful thing for him and us too."

A Tranquil Place

"I'm a 22 year-old graduate, artist, musician, photographer, activist, nature lover. And I'm ...

Supporting NHS Staff

"I am so proud of all the patients and staff. We all tend to the garden whenever we can and it's ...

The Importance of Nature

"The garden has provided a place of healing, a place to be alone, to think, to cry, to talk openly ...

Thoughtful Designs

"Before, you had nowhere to go with your friends, or your girlfriend, just up and down the ...

A Feeling of Freedom

"I think Horatio's Garden is such an amazing place. The garden is remarkable and it makes you feel ...

Welcoming Atmosphere

"I just have to say a very big thank you to you and your excellent team of volunteers. We were ...

Moving Forwards

"Firstly, thank you to Head Gardener Jacqui and all the volunteers for making us feel so welcome ...

Kind Volunteers

"Thank you to everyone who works so hard in this wonderful garden. The volunteers are all amazing, ...

Time with other patients

"Horatio's Garden fosters a sense of community amongst spinal patients that we would not otherwise ...

Improving Health & Wellbeing

"I just wanted to write a little note to thank you for all that you do in Horatio's Garden. I'm ...

An Escape

"On the ward, it's so stressful because there's so much noise and sometimes people knock into your ...

A Positive Impact

"As the wife of a recently paraplegic patient, I just wanted to let you know the positive impact ...

Wheelchair Skills

"Thank God for this garden. Without the wheelchair training area, without patients being able to ...

Garden Poem

Warm sun on our skin, Fresh air on our face, Lifts spirits up high, What a beautiful ...

Therapeutic Gardens

“I feel better after hand therapy. I love planting things because it means a little part of me ...

Thriving Communities

"You run such an amazing range of activities for patients and their families. It's absolutely ...

Time with Family

"Horatio's Garden has transformed Alfie's admissions for him and for us all as a family. He loves ...

Patient Testimonials

Patient Testimonials

A Tranquil Place

Patient Testimonials

Supporting NHS Staff

Patient Testimonials

The Importance of Nature

Patient Testimonials

Thoughtful Designs

Patient Testimonials

A Feeling of Freedom

Patient Testimonials

Welcoming Atmosphere

Patient Testimonials

Moving Forwards

Patient Testimonials

Kind Volunteers

Patient Testimonials

Time with other patients

Patient Testimonials

Improving Health & Wellbeing

Patient Testimonials

An Escape

Patient Testimonials

A Positive Impact

Patient Testimonials

Wheelchair Skills

Patient Testimonials

Garden Poem

Patient Testimonials

Therapeutic Gardens

Patient Testimonials

Thriving Communities

Patient Testimonials

Time with Family

A Tranquil Place

Supporting NHS Staff

The Importance of Nature

Thoughtful Designs

A Feeling of Freedom

Welcoming Atmosphere

Moving Forwards

Kind Volunteers

Time with other patients

Improving Health & Wellbeing

An Escape

A Positive Impact

Wheelchair Skills

Garden Poem

Therapeutic Gardens

Thriving Communities

Time with Family

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