SHOP DONATE

Patient Testimonials

The Importance of Nature

July 20 2021

"The garden is such a special place that brings joy to so many of us, patients and staff. It gives me a warm feeling inside and inspired me to feel good about myself, being surrounded by such wonderfulness. Whenever I am in the garden I feel truly bless and know that I am very fortunate."

Patient Testimonials

Thoughtful Designs

May 10 2021

"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

Moving Forwards

May 2 2021

"Thank you to all the staff and volunteers of Horatio's Garden. In my first six days of isolation, I had been told about the garden and garden room, but I could not have imagined how wonderful it would be. I love spending time there every afternoon and morning - it's like a good social club, somewhere we can all mix and chat with each other.

"It's been lovely doing some repotting in the greenhouse too. I've talked to the Head Gardener and all the volunteers in the garden, who have helped me to name some of the plants which I intend to get for my garden at home, especially the West Point Tulip, which was so stunning in late April!"

Patient Testimonials

Welcoming Atmosphere

March 18 2021

"Most people can't believe it when they visit. Whenever my family and friends have come to see me, they love it here just as I do. It's so lovely to welcome them here and the pods in particular are a godsend. The garden has become the nucleus of the ward and it's the nice thing about being here. I've become friends with many people and outside you can just spend time with each other, learn from each other and discover how everyone's doing when it comes to navigating their injuries."

Patient Testimonials

Supporting NHS Staff

December 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

Health & Wellbeing

November 6 2020

"I highly recommend the craft sessions, especially to anyone for managing pain - it's a great pain diversion. I've loved learning new skills to take home with me and there are always friendly people waiting in the garden to welcome everyone."

Patient Testimonials

A Feeling of Freedom

October 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

Kind Volunteers

September 29 2020

"Horatio's Garden has been a fabulous sanctuary during my three month stay. The garden is amazing and so are all the volunteers. A simple chat (and cake!) makes so much difference. Thank you for all your help and support, for providing a place for us all out of the storm."

Patient Testimonials

Time with Other Patients

August 18 2020

"The garden has transformed his admissions for him and for us all as a family. He has loved planting, fishing for rubber ducks, painting a plant pot, making friends and just enjoying the beautiful garden and snacks in the garden room. He loves to be outside and to escape the confines of the ward is a wonderful thing for him."

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

An Escape

May 5 2020

"The garden has been invaluable. It has been a saviour to me in times of need and emotional moments. I've laughed, I've cried, I've bathed in sunshine and made many new friends, lots of whom I'll keep forever."

Patient Testimonials

A Positive Impact

April 28 2020

"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

Thriving Communities

April 15 2020

"I absolutely love this place and all the staff with it! It's been a place of solace and laughter mixed with escape and great conversation. Without the garden and everyone in it, all the chats I've had with other patients, my time here would have been very difficult."

Patient Testimonials

Tangible Benefits

March 15 2020

"Horatio's Garden is a haven for our patients and many of them seek solace here when the challenges of their spinal cord injury become overwhelming. Patients find comfort and distraction by talking with the garden's staff and volunteers, by participating in all the activities, such as crafting, birdwatching, gardening and so on. It allows them to feel the physical and psychological benefits of simply being outside. Staff from all disciplines spend time in the garden, either holding appointments with patients or simply as a place to unwind from the challenges of their working day. It is impossible to measure the value of Horatio's Garden to our spinal centre."

Patient Testimonials

Therapeutic Gardens

February 13 2020

"Gardening is good for your whole being. I find it therapeutic and certain movements have helped my hands. Each little movement, with seed sowing and so on, has helped my hands remember how to work. It helped me to get back the movements I've lost. Outside is like a medicine, a healing power. The garden has its own healing power. It makes you feel better in yourself."

Patient Testimonials

Wheelchair Skills

January 2 2020

"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

The Importance of Nature

"The garden is such a special place that brings joy to so many of us, patients and staff. It gives ...

Thoughtful Designs

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

Moving Forwards

"Thank you to all the staff and volunteers of Horatio's Garden. In my first six days of isolation, ...

Welcoming Atmosphere

"Most people can't believe it when they visit. Whenever my family and friends have come to see me, ...

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 ...

Health & Wellbeing

"I highly recommend the craft sessions, especially to anyone for managing pain - it's a great pain ...

A Feeling of Freedom

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

Kind Volunteers

"Horatio's Garden has been a fabulous sanctuary during my three month stay. The garden is amazing ...

Time with Other Patients

"The garden has transformed his admissions for him and for us all as a family. He has loved ...

A Tranquil Place

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

An Escape

"The garden has been invaluable. It has been a saviour to me in times of need and emotional ...

A Positive Impact

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

Thriving Communities

"I absolutely love this place and all the staff with it! It's been a place of solace and laughter ...

Tangible Benefits

"Horatio's Garden is a haven for our patients and many of them seek solace here when the challenges ...

Therapeutic Gardens

"Gardening is good for your whole being. I find it therapeutic and certain movements have helped my ...

Wheelchair Skills

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

Patient Testimonials

Patient Testimonials

The Importance of Nature

Patient Testimonials

Thoughtful Designs

Patient Testimonials

Moving Forwards

Patient Testimonials

Welcoming Atmosphere

Patient Testimonials

Supporting NHS Staff

Patient Testimonials

Health & Wellbeing

Patient Testimonials

A Feeling of Freedom

Patient Testimonials

Kind Volunteers

Patient Testimonials

Time with Other Patients

Patient Testimonials

A Tranquil Place

Patient Testimonials

An Escape

Patient Testimonials

A Positive Impact

Patient Testimonials

Thriving Communities

Patient Testimonials

Tangible Benefits

Patient Testimonials

Therapeutic Gardens

Patient Testimonials

Wheelchair Skills

The Importance of Nature

Thoughtful Designs

Moving Forwards

Welcoming Atmosphere

Supporting NHS Staff

Health & Wellbeing

A Feeling of Freedom

Kind Volunteers

Time with Other Patients

A Tranquil Place

An Escape

A Positive Impact

Thriving Communities

Tangible Benefits

Therapeutic Gardens

Wheelchair Skills

Sign up for the Horatio's Garden newsletter