Amidst the chaotic energy surrounding Walsall Manor Hospital in the West Midlands is a small pocket of peace and tranquility,- a restored memorial garden where staff, families, patients and visitors can reflect and find comfort.
“Our staff have felt the impact of losing colleagues over the years,” said Joe Chadwick-Bell, Group Chief Executive for the Royal Wolverhampton and Walsall Healthcare NHS Trusts. “This project also highlights the Trust’s commitment to protecting our local environment, as the plants will create habitats for bees and butterflies.”
At the end of September, Manor Hospital held a special ceremony to mark the opening of the refurbished garden. The project was supported by nearly £12k from the Conservation Enhancement Scheme Funding from Natural England secured by Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s charity Well Wishers.
Dawn Noon was a member of the Trust for nearly 25 years and passed away four years ago. Her daughter Terri-Ann Tolley attended the ceremony to honour her memory.
“My mum loved life and her job and was bubbly. It’s good that me and her work friends can come here and think about her,” said Tolley.
In the middle of benches for reflection and plant-filled pathways is a sculpture made from recycled metal by sculptor Oliver Wellings, who was born in the hospital. The sculpture invites those visiting the garden to connect personal messages to it using padlocks for those who are gone but never forgotten.
“Seeing staff and their families at the opening and placing locks on the tree with personal messages made it all worthwhile. It was a very heartwarming moment,” said Georgie Westley, Fundraising Manager at Walsall Healthcare.