Some things you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy, and having a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening disease has to be one of them - don't you think?
Greenfingers garden at Butterwick Hospice, Stockton on Tees
Picture credit: Greenfingers
For families who have to face this situation, this is where the wonderful hospices around the country step in - offering a secure environment and respite, where families can relax and enjoy their child's company, unburdened by having to provide often complex day-to-day care. Visitors often report what a happy place a hospice is.
Many hospices, however, need more facilities and many would love to have a garden that can be enjoyed by everyone - children, parents, siblings and staff, which is where Greenfingers comes in.
Greenfingers builds gardens for children's hospices, working closely with each one to ensure the design suits their needs and the needs and age range of the children staying there. Where possible the children themselves are involved in the design.
The Pirate Boat at Robin House Children's Hospice, Balloch, Scotland
Picture credit: Greenfingers
The gardens are built to cater for different activities - socialising, therapy, play, reflection and discovery - and offer families the chance to play and be together outdoors, away from the bedside, creating moments that remain in the memory.
Greenfingers works constantly to complete and support gardens around Britain and there's still a huge need. At the start of an appeal in 2015, aiming to raise £1 million over three years, to create around fifteen new gardens in addition to the 49 they already had, Greenfingers Charity Director Deborah Skillicorn said:
“Recently I have spent time visiting hospices all over the UK who are crying out for a Greenfingers garden. Many of these hospices have woefully inadequate outside areas, and yet we know how much the children they care for could benefit from a garden, play space, or simply an accessible outside area. We desperately want to provide all the hospices on our waiting list - and all the children they care for - with the gift of a garden in which really special moments can be shared with siblings, friends and family.”
Building in progress at Chestnut Tree House Hospice, Arundel, Sussex
Picture credit: Greenfingers
It's hard not to want to do something for such a good cause, so we chose Greenfingers as one of our two charity partners. For every new sign-up to our Landscape Specialist Scheme, we donate £10, split between Greenfingers and Perennial. All you need to do is fill in our quick and easy application form and you'll be able to access all the great benefits on offer.
Go on – join our Landscape Specialist Scheme. It's completely free of charge and helps connect you with potential customers. And we'll say thank you with a donation that will help make lives better.
