New garden area being created at Inspire

Last week we visited Inspire to see the work that is starting on recreating the garden area which can be used for recreational activities, peaceful reflection and meeting family.

Pete Beckwith was there to meet with the Estates team and teams from Sewells who are undertaking the work for the Trust. He said, “It is fantastic to see the works start on the garden at inspire, I look forward to watching this project progress over the next 8 weeks.  A thank you to external donor's who have provided funds to enable this work to progress, once complete the garden will provide a therapeutic environment for patients and families/visitors to enjoy and enhance their experience of care at the Trust”.

The area was previously a quite unremarkable grassed area, and that grass has now been partly removed to make way for a patioed walkway which will lead through a planted area dotted with seating.

The plans include a grassed area for playing football and other sports, seating areas for enjoying the outdoors and added sensory experiences with fragrant plants and flowers positioned around the area. The plants have been carefully selected to ensure those planted near windows won’t obscure the view outside and every detail has been considered.

The Estates team said, “It is extremely pleasing that we are able to progress with the garden improvements at Walker Street. A great deal of thought and consultation has taken place, to ensure that the scheme will meet the needs and expectations of its users. This will provide an enhanced environment and welcoming space to those that visit the site. The scheme also includes an external staff wellbeing area, to further support the work that has been undertaken to provide and improve staff welfare facilities”.

The garden project is the final stage of the Inspire CAMHS inpatient unit, and has been made possible thanks to the Trusts’ charity, Health Stars, who, with support from two major grant funders, Help for Health and the Newby Trust, raised over £130,000 as part of the Impact Appeal.  The unveiling of the finished outdoor space is set for December and the teams plan to accompany the opening with a party to celebrate.