A spinal injury can happen to anyone at any time. That’s why everyone spending time in Horatio’s Garden has a unique story to tell.
Ceri’s story
“I’m always out in the garden, especially in all this lovely weather! As soon as my family come they say, “let’s go out in the garden!” My brother brings my two year old nephew to come to see me and he loves running around and smelling the mint plant. It’s for everyone and it’s just lovely to have that time together.”
Aeneas, Roy and Moira’s story
“For my dad, it’s about building back his aliveness, being around things that are alive, well, growing. I think being here helps him get into that mental state, without even really thinking about it.”
Pia’s story
“The garden allowed me to reconnect with myself and the world in so many ways. I did yoga, pottery, photography, listened to live music and even sang alongside one of the musicians. It’s such a good way of relieving stress.”
Archer’s story
“When you’re staying on the ward, you don’t realise how much you miss being outside, how much you need nature, until you’re finally given the opportunity to experience it again. It’s not just a garden, it’s a lifeline.”
Angela’s story
“My favourite thing about the garden is the fact that it’s ever-changing, which is a bit like my recovery. I think that’s helped me to reflect on this journey at the moment, because you lose some things, you gain some things, you have bad days, and you have good days. But there’s space for all of it in the garden.”
Mohammed’s story
“People don't realise how much of an impact spinal cord injury has. If you think it's bad, it's worse. Horatio's Garden is a place that brings beauty in an incredibly difficult, vulnerable time.”
Robin’s story
“Nowadays, the courtyard garden is a welcome treat and a space to recuperate, especially when there’s cake on the go, after hand therapy or physiotherapy on a Friday. There are certain areas of this hospital that don’t feel like a hospital and it’s all due to this garden. ”
Tony’s story
“I still enjoy things I always have. Chess, good food, a glass of wine. But having a place like this while you’re rebuilding everything really does mean the world.”
Liz’s story
“Horatio’s Garden really, really is therapy. You see that life starts as a seed and then carries on, and I actually see myself in that - the major surgery is a basis for my life to go up and improve. I can’t even put into words what it means. It’s just beautiful.”
James’ story
“The garden is a nice place to chill and it has really improved my time in hospital. Having a space outside is good for your mental health, and I would always encourage other patients to visit the garden, even if you’re on your own without visitors.”
Russell’s story
“I love the flowers – the hydrangeas are beautiful in the woodland garden and the crocosmia in the square are absolutely stunning. I just love the garden and it makes the whole experience of being in hospital so much more bearable.”
Henrietta’s story
“For me, Horatio’s Garden was truly life-changing. Without it, the experience would have been almost unbearable.”
Nick’s story
“The journey hasn’t been easy, but Horatio’s Garden has been a real source of comfort along the way. It’s a truly special place.”
Paul’s story
“Horatio’s Garden has been wonderful. It’s amazing, awesome, inspirational, motivating, and I think the most important thing is that it gives you space.”
Gill’s story
“I’m already a keen gardener, so it felt nice to get back to doing things that felt a bit normal. I also like doing crafty things. I’ve never considered myself as being particularly artistic, but I’ve had a go and have been pleasantly surprised with the results!”
Paul’s story
“The garden provides a great social space. There’s a social aspect to all the activities: you’re with some of the other patients and some of the volunteers, who have all been helpful. It’s really healthy to chat to other people.”
Alan’s story
“My late wife loved the colour purple. So whenever I’m in the garden, I like to sit near the purple flowers. Feels like she’s with me somehow.”
Sharon’s story
“What I love most about the garden is what it gives - not just to people in the gardens, but to the family members, too. It’s a place to breathe, to escape for a little while. It gives us a sense of normality.”
Julian’s story
“The garden has become a refuge for me, somewhere to step away from those difficult places.”
Juan’s story
“Every time my friends visit, the garden is our meeting place. The garden is much more vibrant and cosy than the ward. We usually have a cup of tea here, and some of my friends have done ceramics and painting sessions with me.”
Pam’s story
“The first weeks I spent in hospital were enlightening. The staff are lovely, they can’t do enough to help you and they’re very informed on how to make the situation you’re living in better. ”
John’s story
“I look back at my time at Horatio’s Garden and feel very grateful that such a traumatic experience was made more bearable through the gardens.”
Portia’s story
“Helping something to grow has had a really positive impact on me, because I feel like I’m looking after something and it takes my mind away from everything, which is lovely. The garden is just a really nice, safe space.”
James’ story
“For me, the garden’s impact was profound. It wasn’t just about being outside; the garden encourages friendships and a sense of normalcy in an otherwise isolating environment.”
George’s story
“The pottery is the only thing that really got my fingers working. By kneading the pottery and rolling it out, rather than all this stuff I’ve been doing upstairs in the OT room, it’s made a huge difference.”
Carrianne’s story
“Photography brought out a fire in my belly. It gave me a passion and helped me to look forward to life again after being told I was never going to walk again.”
Donal’s story
“I’m sure I will never forget this garden. I was out there at every opportunity, was probably the last person to leave the garden each evening and return to the ward.”
Charlotte’s story
“Once I was out of isolation, I used the garden every day! Whenever I wasn’t in physio, at the gym, or with doctors, I was in the garden.”
Kieran’s story
“The arts activities in Horatio’s Garden are a really good distraction from the difficulties of spinal injury, and they’re brilliant social times too.”
Tony’s story
“Anybody who’s got a spinal injury, sometimes thinks ‘oh, why me?’, whereas you should be thinking ‘why not me?’. Don’t be afraid, because coming here will give you a tremendous number of benefits. ”
Vish’s story
“The garden is like a different kind of rehab – emotional, more than just physical. It’s quite brilliant. ”
Roxie’s story
“Life after a spinal injury is full of unknowns, of challenges you don’t expect. But if I’ve learned anything, it’s that you’re never too old to try new things, never too stuck to find new joys.”
Stuart’s story
“Being able to create and learn whilst outside in a beautiful space has been a huge part in keeping me sane. It breaks up the long days. It reminds you that there’s still beauty out there, still things to enjoy.”
Chander’s story
“Horatio’s Garden has been a sanctuary for me and my family. It has given me a bit of home away from home where we can all sit peacefully together and enjoy the garden.”
Phil’s story
“I’ll always be grateful for my time here. This garden, and the people in it, have made all the difference.”
Kim’s story
“I have made so many memories in Horatio’s Garden. The memories of people I’ve met, their journeys, my journey as well as all of the crafts I have made will always be with me.”
Susan’s story
“When you’re in a hospital ward there’s lots of noise, it’s very hard to relax. When you come into the garden the first thing is the quiet and the peacefulness, so you really get the opportunity to relax your mind and relax your body.”
Barry’s story
“With home over three hours away, the garden kept me busy and I immediately felt the benefits. I loved planting bulbs and seeds in the garden, as well as all the creative workshops. I’ll always treasure my memories of being in Horatio’s Garden.”
Lowrie’s story
“The garden soon became a haven for me as a tranquil sanctuary which distracted me from the noise of the ward.”
Olaf’s story
“I am so thankful for the peace, tranquillity, and fresh air. I often find myself looking out across the countryside to the distant waters of the Bristol Channel. The garden gives me a chance to clear my head.”
Nina’s story
“The garden gave me that safe space mentally and emotionally. I could use the small garden rooms to write, to draw, to paint, to meditate, and the garden offered me the chance to learn skills and hobbies that I never would have tried prior to my injury.”
Ivana’s story
“The garden makes a big difference! All the greenery helps to cheer you up as you can look out of a window and it’s just beautiful.”
Paul’s story
“The garden, and in particular the garden room, has given me a reason to get out of bed. I now get up early in the morning so I can go into the garden and take a paper or a book. It is great escapism, which brightens up my day, lifts my mood, and gives me the feel-good factor.”
Margaret’s story
“No matter where life takes me from here, I will never forget my time at Horatio’s Garden. The colours and the sense of mindfulness I found there will stay with me always.”
Kevin’s story
“The garden is such a good space for socialising with other patients and I have made some really good friends here. We have a good laugh which really uplifts our mood.”
Lynn’s story
“I began to see beauty in the smallest details; the way the sunlight filtered through leaves, illuminating new paths, and how each flower, despite its challenges, managed to bloom... The gardens seemed to make the unbearable things bearable.”
Winston’s story
“I will always remember the flowers and plants, but most importantly, the people. The generosity that I've seen here is admirable.”
Katie’s story
“Just two days away from graduating, Katie was busy living her life of passionate reckless abandon and love. Just two days away from graduating, Katie had an accident that would change her life forever.”
Steven’s story
“The garden was a place where I could find some tranquillity from the busy ward. It gave me the space to contemplate, read and a chance to reconnect with nature by just watching the bees, birds and squirrels go about the garden.”
Rory’s story
“It’s also wonderful for visitors to come to a joyful garden rather than a hospital. Spending time as a family together in Horatio’s Garden makes visiting a much happier occasion. The kids really love the garden too, as they get to run around and play on their scooters.”
Chloe’s story
“I really appreciated having such a beautiful space to unwind in and enjoy some autumnal sunshine! The fact that the design of the garden allows everyone to access it directly from their bay is great – it felt good to have that freedom to just pop outside easily.”
Scarlett’s story
““Horatio’s Garden gave me a breathing space. I could forget things. It made me feel a bit more like myself.””
Pip’s story
“It is so beautiful in the garden room; I absolutely adore it! It is so hygge. Hygge is everything warm, comfortable and cosy. It often involves wood and a fire (which you have here!), friends and family.”
Craig’s story
“It’s great talking to Sallie and doing activities in the garden. I have loved harvesting and eating the fresh fruit and vegetables, particularly making up recipes with them and sharing what we made with others.”
Curtis’ story
“It’s a nice feeling to just be in the garden, whether I’m doing something or not. I come out for fresh air, sunshine, to just sit, look at the birds and have a relaxing moment.”