A “tired” hospital garden has been transformed into an oasis of colour, thanks to community efforts and £15,000 of National Lottery funding.
Bo’net – the Bo’ness Networking Group – has been working for the past year to breathe fresh life into the garden at Bo’ness Community Hospital, off Ward One.
Four stunning mosaics, displaying different flowers, have also been installed in the revamped garden space to help brighten up the area. Created by Falkirk-based artist Rhona Duffy, they complement the new seating and planting areas. The panels feature sunflowers, geraniums, hydrangeas and delphiniums and use colours that people with dementia will find engaging.
Maria Ford, from Bo’net, explained: “I came across Rhona’s creations and thought she would be perfect to deliver artworks for the garden. I’m thrilled with the final results and I hope patients and visitors will be equally pleased.
“The hospital is only a few yards from the official line of the Roman Antonine Wall, so it seemed appropriate to use mosaics – which were loved by the Romans – to dress this space.”
Clinical Nurse Manager Irene Martin said the garden will make a real difference to patients.
“It’s great that Bo’net have been hugely enthusiastic about helping the hospital and that their enthusiasm has attracted much-needed funding to drive this project forward.
“Sitting in a garden surrounded by flowers and birdsong is a wonderful health benefit and gives our patients an opportunity to share precious time with their loved ones.”
The revamped outdoor space at the hospital was officially opened by Bo’ness Fair Queen Ellie Van Der Hoek, ably assisted by patient Margaret King (102). The Bo’ness Belles singing group then entertained visitors and patients at a special garden party.
Madelene Hunt, hair of Bo’net, said: “It’s wonderful to see the garden completed. It was looking so tired a year ago. The transformation of the space has been incredible. I hope the refreshed garden will be a real hit with the elderly patients in the hospital, plus staff and visitors.”
In addition to the new mosaic artworks, the garden has new flower beds, new seating for patients and visitors, wheelchair accessible fruit and vegetable beds, a water fountain to attract birds into the garden and storage space for garden tools and furniture.
Bo’net worked with volunteers and the social enterprise Sustainable Thinking Scotland (STS) to deliver the garden project. The works were made possible thanks to an award of £15,000 from the Life Changes Trust, a Scottish charity supporting the empowerment and inclusion of people living with dementia and their unpaid carers. The Trust is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
