Patient Testimonials

A thank you from a patient at Salisbury

September 5 2018

The best thing about Horatio’s Garden Salisbury

September 5 2018

The garden lets you get away from the hospital. Inside you can’t help but think, but when you go into the garden it’s a bit of an escape.

Experiences at Horatio’s Garden Salisbury

September 5 2018

The garden has improved my wellbeing massively. It’s nice to be outside and it doesn’t feel or look like a hospital. While I was on bed rest I was able to come down. Without the garden I would have had nothing to do.

Thoughts on the new Horatio’s Garden Scotland

October 18 2016

"Having a space away from the clinical apparatus, smells and stuffiness for us both is immeasurable. The moment we were in the courtyard my partner closed his eyes and enjoyed the sun on his head and the breeze on his skin. He smiled peacefully and as he sat in his wheelchair, still unable to move below the shoulders, he said “I am holding you in my arms right now"."

Garden therapy

January 30 2016

Victoria Theakston explains, in a letter to the Telegraph, how Horatio's Garden helped during her long stay at the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre.

Reflections

December 18 2015

The time I spent in Horatio's Garden had an impact on me in several ways, mentally, physically and emotionally.
It was a place to go to escape the rigid routine and schedule of being on a hospital ward. A place where you could be left alone to gather your thoughts an try to comprehend what your future looks like after illness or injury leaving you with life changing results.
Also somewhere you could be distracted by the beauty of the garden,the views,the smells the tranquillity, or by enjoying a slice of cake and a coffee whilst chatting to one or more of the volunteers in the garden. Even getting your hands dirty potting plants, flower arranging or for me mainly being able to draw some of the amazing flowers and plants that were perfectly placed within the garden.
The garden was somewhere you took your family or friends whom visited you,to share with them a little of what was here within the spinal unit surroundings.
Having such an amazing, uplifting space to retreat to after a heavy physio session or intense meeting with Dr's/consultants, made it that bit easier to digest and come to terms with what the future held for each of us.
Somewhere you chatted to other spinal patients about how or why you were on the wards,where you discussed ways of dealing with different aspects of your new found life situation.
Without the enjoyment and friendly atmosphere that Horatio's Garden had to offer, I know my outlook on my future would have been very different,and my depression would have been somewhat harder to manage, which would have added even more pressure onto the reality of a situation that was hard enough to come to terms with.
I sincerely believe that there should be a Horatio's Garden at every spinal rehabilitation centre throughout the UK, it's so much more than a few flowers and plants.

Janina Sweeney

A patient’s thank you

December 2 2015

"While we have been in the spinal unit Horatio's Garden has been an oasis of peace and calm away from the noise and daily happenings in the ward. The opportunity to spend time in the fresh air amoungst lovely plants and watching butterflies and birds also enjoying the same space has helped both of us. The garden room has enable us to enjoy the outdoors even in the inclement weather.
We have also much appreciated the time, friendliness and refreshments generously provided by the volunteers. We thank you for your vision in memory of Horatio and wish you every success in creating an Horatio's Garden in each of the regional spinal units."

Thank you from a patient

September 29 2015

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

To the Garden Volunteers

August 18 2015

Just to say thank you and good bye for now! You all work so hard and it shows, the garden is a pleasure to sit in as a patients, for all the senses to enjoy.

Thank you for the cakes and drinks, you all make everyone feel included and special x

Thank you to Horatio’s Garden volunteers

December 6 2014

Thank you very much for your kindness and the tea and cakes you gave me.
The work you do in the garden makes it a lovely calm place to visit.

Thank you letter

October 30 2014

I wanted to write to say thank you for being the wonderful people you are. Horatio's Garden was my sanctuary during my stay. Looking through the fabulous verbena to the Downs in the distance was the best tonic I could have hoped for. Thank you for providing such a tremendous sanctuary

Garden Poem

September 15 2014

Sunlight filters through the trees
Flowers swaying in the breeze
The gentle sound of buzzing bees
A garden of tranquility

I hear his voice whisper in the breeze
Dancing through the flowers and trees
An inspiration that's not hard to see
In this garden of tranquility.

Stephen Pascoe 15.9.14

Letter from a patient’s wife

September 4 2014

We would like to say how much the activities which have taken place in Horatio's Garden have been such a joy during the long stay in the spinal unit.

Visiting the garden has been a great solace during the last few months and also extremely interesting to watch the changes to the plants over the seasons. the vision that Horatio had for enhancing the patients' environment has certainly worked.

We shall miss our escapes to the greenhouse for cups of tea and cakes and would like to thank you for your kindness and hospitality.

Thank you card

September 4 2014

Horatio's garden is such a delightful reprieve for us all we cant thank you enough for your kindness and hospitality.

Thank you letter

September 4 2014

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 so welcome. It has been a great privilege to relax in the tranquil garden. With profound thanks.

From an inpatient

July 6 2014

Your garden makes a difference when I am so very low
It's such an inspiration and wonderful place to go
The helpers are so lovely with tea, cake and more
It raises your spirits as you wheelchair through the door

We know the tragic tale of why the garden came about
But here in this place, success, could never be a doubt
As the months go slowly by the garden changes too
With spring going into summer, yellow, red and blue

It's great to see the people, young and not so young out there
Maybe think about your future or simply just to stare
So here's a small gift, I hope to help it on its way
And thank everyone involved again, there's nothing more to say

Written with love from former patient

June 13 2013

Horatio's Garden, such tranquillity, allows me to think of the life set before me.

I feel calm and relaxed sat quietly here, escaping the hustle and bustle and the deep dreaded fear.

Different colours and smells drift me away from my pain, before I'm back on the ward doing the same thing again.

I take myself away to a corner of this place, where I can sit and draw in my own special space.

Hours go by as I draw what I see, beautiful flowers set out before me.

As the sun shines down on my face, it slowly shows the true meaning of grace.

A beautiful place made and maintained by love. Thank you Horatio for looking down from above.