Trust’s successful application paves the way for new garden project
The outdoor areas of Camborne and Redruth Community Hospital and Longreach House will be given a new lease of life this summer - thanks to a grant through the Queen's Institute of Community Nursing (QICN).
The project is part of the Elsie Wagg (Innovation) Scholarship and is funded by the National Garden Scheme. These nurse-led projects promote the health benefits of gardening and those who visit them.
A joint application was made by Sue Greenwood, Matron at Camborne Redruth Community Hospital and Jane Pearce, Matron at Longreach's in-patient mental health unit.
After making their final presentation in January, they were 1 of 5 chosen from 30 applicants to be awarded the funding of around £5,000. Camborne and Redruth Community Hospital and Longreach are the only community hospitals to be awarded the grant. They will also receive a year-long programme of support from QICN.
The Elsie Wagg Scholarships are named for the QICN Council member whose inspiration led to the creation of the National Garden Scheme in 1927.
Work on the new gardens project at Camborne and Redruth Community Hospital and Longreach will begin this summer.
Sue, who is a Queen's Nurse, says:
"It's wonderful news. With this funding we can now go ahead with work on the areas around Camborne and Redruth Community Hospital and Longreach.
"This site needs a bit of love. I have a picture of this hospital in the 70s. You would not believe it. It looked stunning, there was flowers everywhere. It was very well looked after. And if you look at it now, you think, 'oh'.
"It was all just looking a little bit unloved. We wanted to do a few bits and pieces. We talked about it, and Jane and I put together an application (for the scholarship).
"It will be lovely to have an area where people can go and relax in when they are not in the hospital, whether that's patients, their families or staff."
Sue and Jane are also building relationships with the volunteer sector. So further help will be at hand in order to take this project forward.
The new garden areas will be there for all to enjoy.
Jane says:
"Our staff do not have massive areas where they can take a break, take a rest, connect with the nature that's around them. Some of the plans include a covered pergola so that people can go and have Teams meetings outside. We want people to be able to walk all the way around.
"We know that nature is good for people. It's good for staff. It's good for recovery."
Jane also revealed how the project has already created a lot of interest from staff.
She adds:
"We sent a survey out and we've already had over 100 responses in a week, which is incredible. Everybody is really keen to see this project develop into something we can all enjoy."
Work is due to begin in the coming weeks. It is hoped the old rose garden will be restored to its former glory. There are also plans to grow vegetables, that both patients and staff can tend to if they wish.
Sue says:
"Having these things can improve people's health and wellbeing, and they can be enjoyed by staff and patients."
The project also ties in with the Trust's Clinical Strategy. One of the key objectives in the strategy is for half of clinical practices to be held outdoors, or in non-traditional spaces.
Sue and Jane are due to meet with local companies to discuss their plans for the project. The Guild of Friends are also ready to offer support, while horticultural students from Duchy College are also going to get involved.
Jane says:
"It's going to be a real collective effort. We have been attending national workshops, and they have been really helpful. We have gardeners from the National Garden Scheme coming down so we can ask them questions about plants and where to plant them, and things like that. Through this project we been given access to so much information, so it's good to know there's support out there."