Dementia garden at Macclesfield Hospital wins silver at North West in Bloom Awards

Staff and volunteers are celebrating after the dementia garden on Ward 9 at Macclesfield District General Hospital won silver at the recent North West Bloom Awards (NWIB).

The garden, which is funded entirely by funds from East Cheshire NHS Trust Charity and worked on and maintained by ward colleagues, gained the award in the Hospital category.

North West in Bloom is the voluntary regional organisation that administers the Britain in Bloom competition in Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside, and is one of the 18 regions and Nations that comprise Britain in Bloom.

Judges visited Ward 9 earlier in the year to view the garden and all the money and hard work which has gone into the project was rewarded at the awards ceremony which was held at Bolton Wanderers Football Club.

Activities Co-ordinator Lisa Nixon, who manages the garden as well as raising regular funds for it, attended the awards ceremony with volunteer Elizabeth. She said:

“We were over the moon to have been nominated for Northwest Britain in Bloom Hospital category and delighted to have brought home a silver award”

“The dementia garden means a great deal to so many patient’s relatives and staff.

“Over the last few years volunteer Elizabeth and I have worked hard to create a relaxing tranquil space full of colourful and sensory plants.

“This brings a sense of peace, calm and joy to patients who are often struggling with the challenges of being in hospital.”

Lily Preston, Fundraising and Events Manager at East Cheshire NHS Trust, added:

“I’m very proud of Lisa, Elizabeth and everyone else involved with the garden.

“They've worked so hard to create something wonderful and no-one deserves the award more than them.”

If anyone would like to support Ward 9, they can be donate by clicking here.

Pictured - Lisa Nixon, Activities Co-ordinator and volunteer Elizabeth receive their award at North West in Bloom Awards.