A HOSPITAL garden in the borough has received a Love Where You Live award from Squire’s Garden Centre Wokingham.
Tucked inside the centre of Wokingham Hospital, a sensory garden with shrubs, small trees, pergolas and benches has been created by volunteers, to benefit staff, long term patients, and their visitors.
Squires Wokingham chose the project, organised and funded by Wokingham In Need, as one of nine winners of its Love Where You Live award.
Sue Jackson from Wokingham In Need organised teams of volunteers, including Dell employees who contributed their time to the charity.
Four solid benches in the garden were made by Wokingham Men’s Shed.
Peter Izod, ambassador for Wokingham In Need, and acting chair of the board of trustees, David Lee received the award on behalf of all the volunteers.
“It’s been a real collaboration,” said David, “and has resulted in the creation of a much appreciated beautiful outdoor space here at Wokingham Hospital.
“Gardens are so important for everyone, including older people, so it’s great to have a space here that’s easy for those with long term disabilities to go into, or even to see from their window.”
Peter agreed: “It’s lovely to have the garden recognised.
“It’s a place where patients, their visitors and staff can now come and relax.”
Senior marketing executive Jo Langdon from Squire’s Wokingham garden centre who presented the award, said: “More than 80 community projects applied for our Love Where You Live award, and it was our chair Sarah Squire who chose the winners.
“A total of £5,500 gardening vouchers were distributed to nine local community gardening projects, enabling them to buy plants, tools and gardening supplies.
“We’re delighted to be able to come here today on behalf of Squire’s Wokingham, to celebrate one of the award winners; the hospital’s Sensory Garden.
“It’s great to see these projects come to fruition, and this is a lovely example of a garden that is benefitting the local community.”
For information, visit: wokinghaminneed.com squiresgardencentres.co.uk and berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk
