SENSORY GARDEN OPENING AT WARD 2A

Friday 28th July 2017 Neurosurgical Ward Sensory Garden Opening.

Today saw the BK’S team return to Ward 2a at Preston Royal Hospital, where we had spent many long days with Ben during the higher dependency days of his treatment. 

Although this invoked some difficult memories, the reason for today’s visit was a joyous one.

 Earlier this year one of the devoted nurses on Ward 2a, Fiona Samson, had entered and won a competition set by ‘Dobbies’ Garden Centre, Preston, to plan and prepare a garden area.

Fiona’s dream was to reclaim the garden area adjoined to Ward 2a, from the jungle it had become and turn it into a haven for patients and their visitors.

Fiona wanted this garden to provide a calm, safe area to allow patients an escape from the pressures of the high dependency unit, to be able to feel the sun on their faces, breathe in some fresh air and still be close and available to the medical staff if required.

BK’S HEROES learnt of this endeavour and were delighted to be in a position to offer £2,000.00 further financial assistance to ensure the project was fully completed. It was also decided that a memorial bench to Ben, should be commissioned to sit within the garden.

Fiona and her ‘Garden Gang' then toiled long and hard, in their own time, to help transform this space. With the help of the staff from ‘Dobbies’, on Friday, this beautiful garden was opened for all to see.

Such an important occasion required suitable recognition and this was provided by no less than the Deputy Mayor of Preston, Trevor Hart.

Trevor happily cut the ribbon to declare the garden officially open.  The ribbon cutting was witnessed by Dave, Fiona and Dan from BK’S, staff from Dobbies, 'Headway ' Preston and Chorley,  Hospital Officials, nurses and previous patients and their families from Ward 2.  

The garden is truly beautiful.

Numerous benches, constructed by previous patient Matt Allen, with materials provided by Headway, line the edges. 

Ben's bench sits in the centre of the garden itself, surrounded by crystals hanging from the trees, lights wrapped around their trunks and colourful flowers and planting.

Calming music is piped through wall mounted speakers and all events are watched over by the paintings of Russ Meehan. Dopey, who was Ben's constant cuddly companion during his hospital stays and Spiderman, the favourite of Joe Parks,also a long term patient on the ward whilst Ben was there.    

During the evening,as the sun goes down,the garden remains a haven as alternating coloured lights continue to illuminate the space beautifully. 

The garden that has been created is truly wonderful and will be of huge benefit to patients and families who have to spend time on the Neurological ward.     

Bravo Fiona et al!!!!!