I’m Phil, a builder from Caerphilly. In December 2021, my life changed in an instant when I fell off a ladder at work. An air ambulance took me to the Heath Hospital in Cardiff, where I had my first surgery. I spent time in the ICU there before being moved to the Grange Hospital and then finally to the Welsh Spinal Cord Injury Centre at University Hospital Llandough.
When I first arrived at Llandough, Horatio’s Garden Wales hadn’t opened yet. There was nowhere outside to go apart from the hospital café, which wasn’t exactly easy to access. Being in hospital for so long without anywhere to sit outside or get fresh air was tough. But when the garden finally opened, it completely changed everything for me. It gave me a place to go, a space to breathe, and most importantly, a way to meet people. It transformed my wellbeing because suddenly, I wasn’t just stuck inside; I could go out, socialise, and feel like myself again.
One of the best things about being here has been the friendships I’ve made. A group of us call ourselves The Rolling Bones, and we’ve become really close. The other patients are some of the most generous, kind-hearted people I’ve ever met, and they’ve been my biggest motivation to keep going. No matter what someone is going through, there’s always a sense of support between us. The garden has played a huge role in that, it’s where we spend time together, where we chat, laugh, and support each other. It’s even where we hold leaving parties when someone gets to go home.
The volunteers are incredible, too. They make cakes for us, stop for a chat, and just bring a real warmth to the place. Owen, the Head Gardener, runs fantastic workshops that have given me a real appreciation for gardening, something I never thought I’d say! I’ve also taken part in arts activities, creating paintings inspired by the plants and flowers around me. Before my injury, I never would have imagined myself doing something like that, but the garden has given me the space and encouragement to try new things.
And the garden itself? It’s just brilliant. The design, the atmosphere, the sense of peace – it makes such a difference. I honestly don’t think Horatio could have picked a better cause to support.
The garden, the people, the camaraderie – it’s all been such a big part of my recovery. When someone leaves, there are always a few tears, because you build such strong bonds here. But at the same time, I know I’m taking so much with me. The experiences, the friendships, and everything I’ve learned, it’s all going to stay with me long after I leave.
I’ll always be grateful for my time here. This garden, and the people in it, have made all the difference.
