Wellbeing garden to support NHS staff opens at Basingstoke hospital

A wellbeing garden has been opened at a local hospital to help support good mental health for hard working staff.

Staff open the new wellbeing garden for colleagues

Funding through Hampshire Hospitals Charity and NHS Charities Together, along with time donated from staff of local businesses is helping to create the garden that offers staff a relaxing outdoor space to spend time on their breaks.

The official start of work was made during the trust’s wellbeing week, which is now in its second year, and aims to celebrate the many aspects of wellbeing support available to NHS staff across their hospitals.

The garden was officially opened by hospital staff members, wellbeing champions and charity champions, who raised a trowel to officially open the space and get work started to improve the area over the summer to ensure it’s a place for staff to rest and recharge during their working day.

Karen Bangs, staff wellbeing lead at Hampshire Hospitals, said; “We’re creating space across all our sites for our staff to be able to enjoy a break to help improve their mental health.

Part of the staff wellbeing garden in Basingstoke

“These gardens are just another commitment we are making to staff to help support them in their wellbeing. Our staff, no matter what their role, are incredibly focused on doing their best to help support our patients. We therefore want to make sure we’re doing our best to make sure they’re supported and have spaces that they can come to rest whether they’re on a quick screen break or taking some time in a change of scenery during a long, busy shift.”

The garden in Basingstoke is in the first stages of development and new benches have already been placed in the space to allow staff to use the area while work continues to create flower beds and other features that will help create a peaceful space support staff on their rest breaks.

Further gardens are already in use in Winchester and Andover ensuring all staff across the trust are able to access outdoor spaces.

Mark Hainy, head of charity at Hampshire Hospitals Charity which has helped to fund the work, said; “Our whole reason for existence is to support our patients and staff to ensure both are well cared for. When staff are well rested and feel relaxed, they’re better able to care for our patients who need them. We’re proud that we’ve been able to use generous donations of time and money to help support the development of these gardens for staff to enjoy.”

The charity is currently recruiting a team of green figured volunteers to help maintain the garden, keeping weeds at bay, allowing trees, plants and flowers to thrive, helping to create a tranquil space for NHS staff. Anyone interested in supporting the project is asked to get in touch via hh.charity@hhft.nhs.uk