downsmail.co.uk
Garden boost for stroke unit
A GARDEN has been given a new lease of life, thanks to volun- teers and community donations . Hannah’s Garden, a tranquil
space for stroke patients at Maid- stone Hospital, was created seven years ago after former patient Han- nah Green raised £5,000. The stroke survivor wanted pa-
tients to have somewhere quiet to sit and enjoy the sunshine or have physiotherapy sessions outside. Volunteers decided to give the
tired looking space a makeover to restore it to its former glory. The garden includes benches in memory of Hannah’s parents, do- nated by staff at Notcutts Garden Centre, where her mother worked. Hannah, of Bedgebury Close, Maidstone, said: “I know only too well through my own personal ex- periences that patients who are un- dergoing rehabilitation in a hospital setting following a stroke, want to be able to go outside and enjoy the sunshine, have the op-
portunity for some peace or be able to have some of their physiother- apy sessions outside. “During my long recovery in hospital, it was difficult to get my wheelchair over the rough grass outside the stroke unit. “I wanted to be able to create a tranquil area away from the ward and put in some beautiful plants to make the area as attractive as pos- sible. Gardening can be a really useful therapy for stroke patients.” Maria Fabian, quality and techni-
cal manager in the facilities depart- ment at the trust, said: “We are delighted with the garden and are hugely grateful to Hannah, her family, and the volunteers who gave their time and resources to en- able this project to come together. “The garden will provide a calm outside space for our stroke pa- tients and will benefit their reha- bilitation. Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to make this happen.”
News Spooky farm fun
STAFF at Kent Life are get- ting ready for Halloween, no matter what Coron- avirus throws at them this year. A week of activities are
lined up between October 24 and November 1 at the popular Sandling visi- tor attraction. Getting ready for the
events is Kent Life’s fa- mous ferret, Smokey, who will be kitted out in a spe- cial ladybird costume. Smokey, aged two, was
rejected by his fellow ani- mals and now lives on his own, but is doted on by members of staff at the working farm. A spokesman said: “Ev-
eryone loves Smokey be- cause he is so docile and friendly. The visitors love him too – he just laps up attention.” Visitors must book a
place online in advance at
kentlife.org.uk/event/hal- loween-spooktacular/.
The Curious Winter Garden Globes coming soon!
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