Colchester Hospital opens new wellbeing garden designed by Adam Frost

by Bethany Vann | 31 Jul 24 | Garden Design, News | 0 comments

The Royal Horticultural Charity (RHS) and Colchester & Ipswich Hospital’s Charity opens new wellbeing garden at Colchester Hospital Essex, created in collaboration with NHS Charities Together.

Designed by RHS ambassador and award-winning landscape designer, Adam Frost and built by Blakedown Landscapes, the new garden aims to provide NHS staff, patients and visitors with a calming space to relax and recharge.

Situated at the hospital’s entrance, nearby the dedicated Cancer Wellbeing Centre, the new garden holds sustainability at its heart, with Frost’s design fostering climate change resilient features.

Paths weave through a series of trees, which provide improved canopy cover, alongside wildflower and brought tolerant planting – including cistus, geraniums and a range of grasses – its layout offers both social and private outdoor seating areas.

Frost’s final design also incorporates feedback from the hospital’s workforce, obtained via an engagement process to ensure the space meets the needs of both staff and patients.

The project is part of a national initiative launched by the RHS in partnership with the NHS to inspire a network of wellbeing gardens across England.

Designer, Adam Frost comments on the project:

“It’s been an honour to design this garden as I know it’s going to be an invaluable resource to so many people working at and visiting Colchester Hospital. People need somewhere tucked away where they can pause before going through the hospital entrance; I want people to feel cloaked and comfortable. On a personal level, this is my way of saying thank you to everybody that works hard in the NHS.”

To ensure the ongoing sustainability of the garden, the RHS Community Outreach team has worked with local volunteers to create a gardening club to help manage and maintain the garden.