A ‘garden of tranquility’ has been created at Sidmouth Hospice at Home’s Sidford HQ by Primley Women’s Institute.

Members designed the garden themselves, raised money to buy plants, and cultivated them at their own homes before planting them in the peaceful space outside the building. They also raised funding for materials and garden furniture.

Sidmouth Herald: Members of Primley WI Members of Primley WI with the plaque installed at the garden

The garden project followed a major programme to improve access to the building for Day Centre patients, many of whom are frail and have mobility problems. A new car park has been built, meaning patients and visitors can be dropped off directly outside the entrance, and there is an accessible ramp and wide path that wraps around the building.

The access programme was supported by the construction industry’s charity CRASH which provided a £70,000 grant. Two of the charity’s corporate patrons Arcadis and Hollis, carried out surveys of the site to help plan the work. The Sidmouth Victoria Hospital Comforts Fund provided the rest of the funding, enabling this work to take place throughout the summer.

With this completed, the Primley WI were able to plant the new garden they had designed, with a wheelchair-friendly resin path and a calming water feature.

Sidmouth Herald: The new tranquility garden

Sidmouth Hospice at Home’s CEO Al Cameron said: “We are immensely grateful to CRASH, The Victoria Comforts Fund and Primley WI for their combined time, advice and generosity in providing funds and expertise to this project.

“When we moved to our new home just over a year ago, we weren’t expecting to have it in the shape that it is in now. This project will benefit our patients and staff and volunteers, as well as other users of the building such as the Community Nursing Team and the wider community that we serve.

“As a result of the project our building is completely accessible, it is smart and it provides spaces for all to enjoy. The Therapeutic Garden is stunning and has already benefitted our own patients and patients of other services who use our building.”

As a side benefit to the improvement work, a dark footpath running parallel to the hospice is now illuminated by the car park lighting, which has been welcomed by local residents.

Thanks to the easy access, the hospice is now able to offer a growing schedule of weekly services and is recognised as a local hub in the community, with Wellbeing Days for hospice patients and dementia clients, a regional nurse training hub, spiritual support sessions and a bereavement tea group.