We have been absolutely delighted to be able to welcome patients and NHS staff to Horatio’s Garden London & South East for the very first time!
Please click the ‘Play’ icon below to watch our new video celebrating the opening of our new garden
Please click here to become a Friend of Horatio’s Garden London & South East
Our fifth project has been over two years in the making and seeing patients enjoying the garden just as the charity intended was a momentous and moving occasion. The commitment and determination of everyone involved has made this new garden possible and it’s wonderful to know that it will be offering calm and comfort to patients, their loved ones and staff at the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre, located at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, for many years to come.
The site before Horatio’s Garden
The site after Horatio’s Garden
Since groundworks began in January 2020, the team responsible for bringing Horatio’s Garden London & South East to life have worked tirelessly to ensure that they completed the build on time. Despite the Coronavirus crisis presenting various challenges, garden designer Tom Stuart-Smith, architect Stephen Marshall, and major contractors ARJ Construction all pulled together to progress the garden at an astonishing rate, helped by the expert guidance of project managers, the Robert Lombardelli Partnership Ltd.
Once the hard landscaping was complete, the next task was to plant the garden. Thanks to newly appointed Head Gardener, Ashley Edwards, and a fantastic team of volunteers both old and new, the garden rapidly became a bright and beautiful place that totally resembled Tom Stuart-Smith’s original designs. Tom and his team were also on-hand to help with the planting, as well as teams from Crocus, who together with Hortus Loci supplied the flora for the garden.
Throughout the capital appeal and build, the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and The RNOH Charity have been incredibly supportive and we are proud of the relationship we have built with both the spinal centre itself and the hospital as a whole. Naturally, we hope that this will continue to flourish now that the sanctuary is open, which truly is a testament to everyone who has donated, fundraised and supported the garden in any way.
Over the past few months, many of us have come to realise the importance of our outdoor spaces more than ever. For patients currently spending time in the London Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Centre, the majority of whom have had little to no access to the natural world both prior to and since lockdown, being able to venture out into Horatio’s Garden was a truly magical moment.
The awe was audible as patients and staff explored the space, with everyone taking the time to bathe in the gentle sunshine and absorb every inch of the flowerbeds, trees, garden room, greenhouse and garden pods.
At the beginning of this flagship project, Tom Stuart-Smith said that Horatio’s Garden had “the capacity to transform the lives of patients with spinal injuries when they are most in need.”
He was right.
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All our gardens are entirely reliant on your ongoing support.
If you would like to donate or become a Friend of Horatio’s Garden to help to secure the future of our London & South East garden, or another, please click here.
If you would like to volunteer, please email volunteer@horatiosgarden.org.uk.
If you would like to fundraise, please email fundraising@horatiosgarden.org.uk.
If you would like to lend corporate support, please email info@horatiosgarden.org.uk.
