Local people can have their say on new garden at hospital

A new therapeutic garden is to be built at the Priestley Unit, Dewsbury District hospital and the South West Yorkshire Mental Health Trust wants local people to help decide how it will look.

Members of the public, staff, service users and their carers are all invited to a consultation event on the 20th July at the Priestley Unit, open all day. People will be able to look at the plans so far and come forward with any ideas and suggestions they might have.

The project is been funded by the King’s Fund charity and the garden project team is made of up Trust staff and service users. Ideas so far include a water feature, a seated area, a central glass pagoda and a shelter. The team hope to commission a local artist to decorate the glass pagoda with scenes from Dewsbury’s history, so that the garden will mean something to local people.

Member of the project team Glynnis Stirling says, "We want to create a calming environment to encourage people to go outside. The garden will be for inpatients, outpatients, visitors, carers and staff to sit and relax."

"The garden will be very calming and we hope to use soothing flowers like lavender and have mood-enhancing lighting. Evidence from the King’s Fund charity suggests that a pleasant, relaxing environment encourages the healing process," Glynnis continues.

After the event plans will be drawn up, approved and then the project will be put out to tender. It’s hoped that work can begin on the garden early in the new year.