Wates, one of the largest family-owned construction, development and property services companies in the UK, have collaborated with Croydon Hospital to transform its Garden Suite.
The Garden Suite is a comforting and private area with a small therapeutic garden that provides an important space for bereaved families who wish to spend time in an environment that is close to the maternity teams.
A group of volunteers from Wates’ Facility Management team cut back shrubs, removed weeds, pressure-washed pathways, planted seeds and installed new garden furniture to revamp the space, giving access to the peaceful outdoor space, away from the hospital’s clinical environment.
The makeover work on the courtyard garden was completed by an afternoon, ready for presenting to the nursing team at the hospital.
This initiative, led by our dedicated bereavement midwife and supported by Wates Group, will help to provide a home away from home environment for our patients at one of the most difficult times in their lives
Deborah Kelly, Chief Nurse at the Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, said: “The garden has been completely transformed. This space is just one of the many ways we support families within our maternity unit.”
“This initiative, led by our dedicated bereavement midwife and supported by Wates Group, will help to provide a home away from home environment for our patients at one of the most difficult times in their lives. We’re incredibly grateful for Wates’ support,” Kelly concluded.
Wates has close links with Croydon going back four generations of the Wates family, delivering construction and property development projects, and creating employment in Croydon for decades.
The garden makeover is part of Wates’ social value philosophy of supporting community projects through volunteering.
The garden makeover is part of Wates’ social value philosophy of supporting community projects through volunteering
More projects supporting the Croydon community are currently underway and in development.
Steven Clarke, Wates Senior Account Manager, FM, said: “It’s great to be able to help make a difference, and it is important to us that we play a part in the community by improving places and making positive differences.”
“The volunteers work locally too. They’ve done a great job, and we hope it makes a difference to the hospital and its patients,” Clarke concluded.
Top image: Volunteers from Wates with nurses and staff from Croydon Hospital