Therapeutic ‘Grow and go’ garden

News - 21 September 2023

NHS workers who provide care and treatment to improve the quality of life for people with nervous system or neurological diseases, have created a new outdoor therapeutic space for their patients to enjoy.
Patients and colleagues in the garden at Magnolia Lodge

Senior Therapy Assistants Gillian Ibbotson and Sarah Mosely who work at Magnolia Lodge, in Doncaster, a Neurorehabilitation Unit run by Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) have designed a ‘Grow and go’ garden to compliment the therapies provided on the ward.

In their spare time outside of work the pair have been busy fundraising to get the project off the ground and creating the garden with the support from some of the patients.

Gillian Ibbotson said: “It has been a team effort and the patients have enjoyed helping with the planting of vegetables, herbs, and fruit brushes. With their help we now have tomatoes, chives, mint, verbenas, parsley, rosemary, and strawberries which are great to eat but also for their aroma.”

The ‘Grow and go’ garden is used by families, carers and friends who visit the patients on the ward. They can spend time outside pottering in the garden or relaxing and having quiet time together in a more therapeutic environment.

Sarah said: “We’re proud of the space we’ve created for our patients. It supports their rehabilitation and wellbeing by improving their physical movement and cognitive abilities.”

Magnolia Lodge provides specialist neurorehabilitation care and treatment to people aged 16 years and over.

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