As summer reaches its peak the Greenfingers Charity is in a reflective mood as it looks back on a season of progress, creativity, and connection at children’s hospices across the country. A host of transformative garden projects – each uniquely tailored to its setting – have been brought to life, offering vital spaces for rest, reflection, play, and togetherness for children with life-limiting conditions and their families.
Far more than just beautiful green spaces, each Greenfingers Charity garden has been co-designed with hospice staff, families, garden designers and landscape contractors to ensure they respond directly to the emotional and practical needs of those who use them. Whether it’s a wildflower meadow that invites quiet moments with nature, or a fully accessible play space designed to spark laughter and exploration, every project reflects the charity’s mission to create therapeutic outdoor environments where every moment matters.
Rest & Reflect Garden – The Nook, East Anglia Children’s Hospice, Norwich
The Rest & Reflect Garden at The Nook officially opened on 17th June, and it’s already becoming a special place for families and staff. Designed by Ann-Marie Powell and built by Stewart Landscapes, the garden has a wildflower meadow at its heart that gently moves with the breeze, creating a real sense of peace and connection with nature. It’s a quiet, calming space where people can pause, breathe, and just be. The opening brought together Greenfingers supporters, volunteers and hospice teams to mark the start of a garden that’s already making a quiet but powerful difference.
Gathering Heart Garden – Hope House, Oswestry
Set to open this September, the Gathering Heart Garden, designed by the team at CW Studio and brought to life by Landstruction, is a place for movement, interaction, and sensory engagement. With inclusive equipment, shaded areas, and space for quiet moments, the garden is designed to evolve with the seasons.
The Kitchen Garden – Chestnut Tree House, Arundel
Due for completion by the end of July with its official opening earmarked for autumn 2025, the Kitchen Garden brings a rich mix of edible planting, growing beds, and pollinator-friendly features to this West Sussex hospice. Designed by Fisher Tomlin & Bowyer and created by Baylis Landscapes, the space encourages hands-on engagement with nature, promoting sustainability and wellbeing through food-growing and exploration.
Together Garden – Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, Sheffield
Originally showcased at the RHS Flower Show at Wentworth Woodhouse where it received a silver gilt award, the Together Garden – designed by Phil Hirst and Jo Charlton – is now making its final journey to Bluebell Wood Hospice, where it will find its permanent home outside the hospice’s Forget Me Not Suite. Made from 95% recycled materials from the show installation, it will offer a gentle and sensory-rich setting for remembrance and quiet connection. Completion of the garden build is set for late August.
Centred Play Garden – Acorns Children’s Hospice, Walsall
Opening on 16th October, this inclusive garden, the vision of VaRa Garden Design and built by Paul Taylor Landscaping, will offer children of all ages and abilities the chance to explore, play and interact with each other and the natural world. Thoughtfully curated textures, pathways and play features create an environment that nurtures imagination, physical activity and social interaction.
Linda Petrons, Director Fundraising & Communication at the Greenfingers Charity, said: “It’s been a phenomenal summer for our garden projects, and seeing each space come to life – with children playing, families finding moments of peace, and hospice teams enjoying the outdoors – makes every bit of hard work so worthwhile. These gardens aren’t just beautiful; they’re meaningful. They’re places to play, to learn, to care, to grow and to remember and to simply be together. Each one reflects the spirit of the hospice it belongs to, and we feel incredibly lucky to work with such passionate designers, landscapers, hospice teams and of course all those who support our work in so many ways.”
Find out more
For more information about Greenfingers Charity visit: www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk or email linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk to discuss ways to support the charity.
