NHS wellbeing gardens

Wellbeing gardens are being built around England for staff, patients and the local community in a partnership between the RHS and the NHS

Community-designed gardens that fit the needs of NHS staff and patients are being developed on the sites of healthcare settings around England.

To ensure that the gardens stand the test of time, people who live and work locally are learning how to care for the plants and have been taking part in relaxing workshops designed to improve their wellbeing.

Gardening for health and wellbeing

Introducing the NHS wellbeing gardens

All of the gardens, created by leading garden designers, have taken a ‘right plant, right place’ approach, with planting that’s suitable for the local soil type and weather conditions, helping them to be sustainable for the future. Find out more about the gardens, and the stories behind them:

Colchester Hospital Wellbeing Garden

Designed to give NHS staff, patients and visitors somewhere to rest and relax

Designer: Adam Frost

University Hospital Lewisham Wellbeing Garden

Developing wellbeing spaces for staff, patients and the local community

Designer: Adam Frost

Woking Community Hospital Garden

Providing patients in a community hospital a space to receive treatment outdoors

Designer: Dave Green
NHS wellbeing gardens support staff in Greater Manchester

Read more about the pilot that kick started this programme in 2022

NHS wellbeing gardens support staff in Greater Manchester

Impact of the University Hospital Lewisham Wellbeing Garden so far

Find out how the University Hospital Lewisham Wellbeing Garden is supporting NHS staff, patients and the wider community through gardening.

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Gardening for all

Gardening after a brain injury

How one man rediscovered his passion

Gardening after a stroke

How gardening can support the recovery process

Creating a sensory garden

Be the master of how you feel

Gardening after a brain injury

How one man rediscovered his passion

Gardening after a stroke

How gardening can support the recovery process

Creating a sensory garden

Be the master of how you feel

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Discover gardening for all 

Support NHS wellbeing gardens

Help us build and grow NHS wellbeing gardens around the country by donating today. Your gift will help us realise our vision to create safe and welcoming green spaces for hospitals and their local communities. From providing quiet respite areas to reflect, to active gardening groups bringing people together, the NHS wellbeing gardens will bring a vital boost to the wellbeing and environment at NHS hospitals.

You can donate online, or call 020 7821 3125.

Donate now

More from the RHS

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.