The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is working closely with East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), the ESNEFT Wellbeing Team and Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity to create a wellbeing garden and run wellbeing workshops for staff in Colchester Hospital.
The RHS has recently created a wellbeing garden for staff, patients and visitors at Lewisham hospital – take a look at this video to find out more!
The Colchester Hospital Wellbeing Garden has been designed by Adam Frost, who is a Chelsea Flower Show award winning gardener and BBC Gardeners World Presenter. Want to know what the garden looks like? View the design here. You can also watch a video Adam has created which explains his vision for the garden here.
Work began on the garden in early 2024 and opened on 25 July 2024 just in time for staff, patients and visitors to enjoy the warm weather. Since then, we have been working with the RHS Community Outreach Team to run a series of workshops for staff members to get involved in. Workshops have included spring bulb planting, chilli challenges, hedgerow planting and much much more!
These staff engagement workshops are in place to show how plants and being close to nature can enrich our lives and improve our wellbeing - even if it is simply getting 15 minutes among the garden on a lunch break! If you have any ideas for staff engagement on a gardening or nature inspired theme around the hospital, please do get in touch we would love to hear from you.
Find out all you need to know about what workshops are currently taking place and how to sign up by clicking the button below!
WorkshopsDonate
Staff were treated to a pollinator pockets and coronation container workshop. Read more
Staff create macrame plant holders in the Cancer Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital Read more
Gardening charity RHS ran lavender bath sachet wellbeing workshops for staff in the Cancer Wellbeing Centre. Read more
July saw gardening charity RHS hold special NHS 75 and Big Tea celebrations with tea themed workshops. Read more
Get in touch for your chance to receive a department VegTrug Planter for your team garden space. Read more
Become a volunteer gardener across Colchester and Ipswich Hospital. Read more
Staff have been making willow wreaths from foraged foliage to improve their wellbeing. Read more
Staff learn gardening skills and nature crafts to boost wellbeing and strengthen team connections. Read more
Staff marked the start of spring by snapping pictures of nature during their work day. Read more
Read how our wellbeing workshops are making a difference to staff across our hospitals. Read more