Staff turn bloomin' great idea for Trent Cardiac Centre garden in to reality
Staff at Nottingham University Hospitals have helped to transform a derelict courtyard at the Trent Cardiac Centre into a new beautiful garden where people can go to escape the busy hospital environment.
The idea for the garden, at City Hospital, came from the staff group, the Cardiac Shared Governance council, because they wanted to create a peaceful outdoor space where patients, families and staff could step away to have time to themselves and to provide a space for reflection and, if necessary, difficult conversations.
The enterprising group of staff embarked upon more than two years of strenuous fundraising to enable a landscaper to look at a scheme for trimming the trees, removing the play apparatus, laying some artificial turf and replanting the existing plastic planters.
Rikki Hayward, Staff Nurse at the Trent Cardiac Centre, said: “I’m excited because for far too long this area has not been in use for anyone to use, but now for staff and visitors alike, it will be a retreat for conversation, contemplation and enjoyment all round.
“The garden would not be possible without the kind generosity of our sponsors, Nottingham Hospitals Charity, Nottingham City Transport, Nottingham Panthers and Broxtowe Council, or for the support of the NUH shared governance facilitators, NUH estates and facilities, all the kind donations from the public and fundraising efforts of our staff, and Green River Gardening. I want to say thank you to everyone for making this project a reality and I hope it is long enjoyed.”
Thanks to the fantastic fundraising efforts by the Cardiac Shared Governance Council and through donations from Nottingham Panthers, Nottingham City Transport, former Mayor of Broxtowe Councillor Michael Brown and other fundraisers in the local community, Nottingham Hospitals Charity was able to give £50,000 towards the refurbishment project.
The work was overseen by the NUH Estates and Facilities team, who worked closely with landscapers Green River Gardening and with Trent Cardiac Centre staff on the project.