Bluebird House is a hospital for young people aged 12–18. The young people who use our service have complex mental health needs and may be at risk to themselves or others. We provide care, treatment and support in a safe and secure environment, with a strong focus on recovery and wellbeing. Support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Access to outdoor space is incredibly important for the physical and mental wellbeing of the young people who live at Bluebird House. There is growing evidence that time spent outdoors can have a positive therapeutic impact on mental health. Currently, Bluebird House has three courtyards that require renovation so they can be used safely and comfortably all year round.

For two of the courtyards, we plan to level the ground so young people can safely take part in activities such as football, basketball and water play. These spaces will also include benches and planting, with aromatic plants chosen to support relaxation. Outdoor lighting and speakers will be installed to enhance sensory experiences and help create a calm, therapeutic environment for all young people.

The third courtyard will be developed into a sensory garden. This will be a quiet, relaxing space designed specifically to support emotional regulation and wellbeing. The garden will be created in partnership with the experienced Occupational Therapy team at Bluebird House to ensure it is as therapeutic and accessible as possible.

The team at Bluebird House feel very passionate about this project and will be undertaking in‑house fundraising to help raise the required funds. We will also keep a blog to share step‑by‑step updates and highlight the progress and impact of the project.

This project is led by the team at Bluebird House, part of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.