Housebuilder colleagues in Maidstone donate £1,000 to special hospital garden for patients

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Housebuilder colleagues in Maidstone donate £1,000 to hospital garden for patients

- 20 Jan 20

Colleagues at a national housebuilder in Maidstone took part in the launch of a new sensory garden for hospital patients after donating more than £1,000 to the project.

Bovis Homes staff - part of the newly formed Vistry Group - attended the opening of the Maidstone Hospital garden which aims to provide tranquillity and calm for visitors.

The housebuilder, which has a new-build location called Orchard Fields opposite the hospital on Hermitage Lane, presented £1,100 to the Maidstone Hospital League of Friends to go towards the creation of the garden

Maria Maxwell, regional marketing manager at Bovis Homes, said: “The sensory garden is a fantastic initiative that we’re delighted to be involved in and it will benefit patients every day.

“Not only will it be attractive to look at – the setting will hopefully provide patients and visitors with quiet time when they need it most – we were certainly impressed when visiting for the launch.”

Old benches, ivy, flower beds, a magnolia tree and stonework which had been damaged by the tree’s roots, were removed from the old courtyard in order to create the garden which is now accessible to everyone.

It boasts a new seating area, stepping stones around raised flower beds which contain sensory plants, new benches and bins plus a water feature.

Gareth Owen, chairman of Maidstone Hospital League of Friends, who came up with the idea of revamping the courtyard, said: “I am absolutely delighted that we were able to help breathe new life into the courtyard. It was starting to look tired and worn and was in desperate need of some TLC.

“I hope patients and visitors alike enjoy the space.”

David Highton, chairman of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, officially opened the garden.

He said: “We are extremely grateful to Maidstone Hospital League of Friends for coming up with the idea and to all the partner agencies that helped fund the makeover.

“This is just one of many projects that we are doing to help improve the patient experience, no matter how long their stay is.”

Last year, Bovis Homes donated £2,000 to Maidstone Birth Centre, which is located at Maidstone Hospital. The housebuilder also presented Maidstone Grammar School for Girls with £2,000 to go towards their outdoor area, the Woodland Garden, aimed at relieving visitors from the pressures of modern life.