To support individuals affected by stroke and dementia during their hospital stay, we created the Serenity Garden.

We have used feedback from staff, patient focus groups and service users with knowledge of strokes to identify the types of outdoor challenges that patients have struggled with after leaving the hospital. Patients reported that these challenges had an impact on their self-confidence and prevented them from going about their daily lives. The Serenity Garden aims to enable patients to experience real-world challenges in a safe and controlled environment under the supervision of trained therapists and nursing staff. This will ensure that when patients are discharged from hospital, they have improved mobility, self-confidence and are as independent as possible.

The Stroke rehabilitation area offers patients the opportunity to navigate their way over steps (for mobile patients) or use a ramp (wheelchair users), traverse around navigation poles (which aim to mirror navigation around crowded areas), cross over a raised bridge, and walk through uneven gravel surfacing. Patients can then make their way down the new decking area which has a wonderful view of the newly planted therapy garden and wild flower meadow.

Patients and staff with knowledge of Dementia reported that they would like an area where they could undertake activities such as gardening, pet, music and art therapies. They also requested areas for relaxation and socialising to help improve their general health and mental well-being away from the clinical area. 

The Dementia therapy area incorporates new wheelchair accessible raised flower beds which are arranged with a variety of specially selected plants to stimulate the senses of sight, touch, sound, taste and smell. There is a dementia friendly pathway designed as an infinity loop to provide a sense of direction as patients wander through the area. A dining area and seating around the garden will enable patients to sit outdoors and relax with their friends and family. An all-weather lodge is expected to be in place by the end of the year. The lodge will enable patients to receive art, music, pet and one-to-one therapies away from the ward area throughout the year. The lodge will be able to accommodate hospital beds, wheelchairs and able-bodied patients making it a unique space for all to use. It will be equipped with a selection of specialist equipment to aid muscle building, concentration and fine motor skills.

Your donations have been used to construct the garden, purchase equipment/ consumables and general maintenance. 

You can keep updated on progress via the Serenity Garden website:

Serenity Garden (geh.nhs.uk)