Room to Breathe Hospital Garden for the TSA

Designed specifically as a restorative retreat for parents and caregivers of patients in hospital, the garden offers solace in nature, helping them recharge and face the challenges of caregiving with renewed energy.
 
A cocoon-like feature chair cradles caregivers, offering a warm embrace and a sense of security. Evergreens and textural leaves provide a long season of interest and shades of green provide a calming backdrop with white flowers illuminating darker areas. Hints of burgundy foliage and flowers act as a contrast to create depth and focal points in a small space. An angled pathway and pergola enhance the feeling of being cocooned and create a feeling of being surrounded by nature
 
Inspired by personal experience, the garden highlights the emotional toll of supporting a child with Tuberous Sclerosis. Access to green space while at hospital provides an escape from the stresses of a medical environment. This garden serves as a much-needed sanctuary for caregivers – a ‘Room to Breathe’.
 

At a glance

Who would use this garden?
Parents and carers spending time in hospital staying with or visiting loved ones.
Where is the garden set?
A corner of a hospital courtyard garden in South East England, UK.
Who or what is the design inspiration for the garden?
The garden is inspired by the designers’ personal experiences. Jen spent time in hospital with her son Alex, who has Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. Both Catherine and Jen volunteer at NHS Amersham Hospital, where they are part of a team rejuvenating the gardens.
 

Garden legacy

After the Show elements from the garden are being relocated to Amersham Hospital, part of Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.