National Rehabilitation Centre to receive special RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden as a ‘lasting legacy’ | Latest news

A special accessible garden created for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show with the National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) in mind could become a therapeutic space to help NHS patients on their recovery journey after the London show.

Nimbus Disability, a social enterprise company based in Derby, has joined forces with a variety of specialist organisations to create a Japanese-style garden for the Great Pavilion at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Once the national horticultural show is complete, their plan is to donate an adapted version of the garden to the NRC so that it will become a ‘lasting legacy’ by providing a healing space for patients attending the centre with newly acquired disabilities and life-changing health conditions.

The NRC will be a 70-bed, purpose built and state-of-the-art NHS facility, and is currently under construction on the Stanford Hall Rehabilitation Estate near Loughborough, home to the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre which opened in 2018. The NRC is part of the Government’s New Hospital Programme.

The garden is carefully designed to benefit wheelchair users and people with other disabilities. In addition, to ensure a fully inclusive environment, a descriptive commentary and sounds aim to further enrich the experience for visitors with visual impairments.

Designs and plants for the RHS garden include Hostas, Bonsai and Acer trees, a bronze dragon, wooden walkway and bridge, and a raised Koi pond with a viewing window.

This year’s exhibit has been jointly created by Paul Harris of Brookfield Plants and Matthew Ball of B Ball Contractors Ltd. The garden has been designed and planted by Brookfield Plants, and the design and build of the project has been delivered by B Ball Contractors Ltd. Freedom Living Solutions, a specialist disability design and build company, have advised on the exhibit to create a fully accessible, enjoyable space.

Miriam Duffy, NRC Director, explained that the proposed garden's design incorporates features that encourage sensory stimulation, social interaction, and relaxation which are important elements for those recovering from trauma.

She said: “We are incredibly excited by the generosity of the team behind the stand in considering this donation. This innovative garden would provide our patients with a beautiful and accessible sanctuary to support their rehabilitation journey.

“The proposed garden's design incorporates features that encourage sensory stimulation, social interaction, and relaxation. These elements are well-documented to contribute positively to the physical and mental well-being of those recovering from trauma.

“This immersive garden has the potential to leave a lasting legacy for our patients, serving as a testament to the power of nature and its ability to aid healing and inspire an individual's recovery both physically and mentally. Our design team are looking at how best to locate the installation as we continue to build the centre.”

Nimbus Disability works to improve the lives of disabled people through providing advice and training to organisations, and they created the Access Card to support disabled people to access entertainment events more easily. They have provided advice on the stand’s access and immersive features.

Mark Briggs, Director of Partnerships at Nimbus Disability, said: “We're thrilled to support and advise on a garden experience that truly celebrates inclusivity.

"For too long, beautiful gardens and green spaces haven't been as accessible as they could be. This stand aims to change that by not only showcasing stunning design that caters to all access requirements, but that can also have a lasting impact for disabled people."