Plans for memorial garden to give staff space to reflect
A memorial garden to give Solent NHS staff a tranquil place to remember those who have passed is soon to take shape at one of our main sites.
Plans have been drawn up to create a peaceful green space where people can rest and remember family, friends and colleagues who are sadly no longer with us.
The project follows overwhelming sentiment expressed by staff wishing to do something to remember work friends and others they have lost.
A suitable location has been found at St James’ Hospital, Portsmouth, chosen for its tranquillity and accessibility, and a design drawn up featuring curved benching around a focal point intended for quiet reflection.
Planting and hedges will soften the garden, which will benefit from a new path and the existing natural backdrop of trees on the green opposite The Limes building.
The garden will be paid for from Solent NHS Trust’s Charitable Funds Committee.
But before work starts, the Estates team is keen to involve staff in the project by asking them to suggest positive, poignant words which can be featured at the site.
The plan is for meaningful words relevant to our staff and the wider NHS to be either carved into the benches or displayed within stonework at the green space for all to see. Examples could be “hope” or “strength”.
Mark Young, Associate Director of Estates Transformation, said: “Although based at St James’, this garden is intended for everyone across the Trust to use if they feel in need of some quiet reflection time.
“At Solent, we are very much a family and want this to be a place of calm where people can sit and remember those who have passed.
“In order to make this garden project a success, we want to hear from, and work with, staff from across the organisation to incorporate their words of significance into the design.
“We are hoping lots of people will help us by coming up with meaningful words to showcase at this important new green space, which will also encourage staff to take a break from our busy wards and departments.”
- Staff can email their memorial garden word suggestions to estatesprojects@solent.nhs.uk