The seventh garden for Horatio’s Gardens was established in collaboration with Belfast Health & Social Care Trust and partners from Northern Ireland, to nurture the wellbeing of thousands of people after spinal injury from across Northern Ireland.
Andy Sturgeon said: “It’s fantastic to have arrived at this crucial stage of establishing the vibrant and calming soft landscaping for this special garden. It’s a privilege to be creating this place that will foster wellbeing during long periods of rehabilitation and have a transformative effect on thousands of patients and their loved ones.”
The garden has been designed to be fully accessible for patients in wheelchairs and beds, ensuring everyone can physically and mentally benefit from the garden throughout their hospital stay. Patients from the Amputee Rehabilitation Unit also have access to the garden, as well as the patients’ families, friends, and NHS staff. The design features a Donegal quartz dry stone wall water feature, an iroko wood building with garden pods, an accessible glasshouse, ‘green tunnel’ pergola and raised beds designed for patients and staff to grow their own plants and help to nurture the garden.
The Horatio’s Belfast Garden has been funded by donations and support from the MITRE Trust and the National Garden Scheme. Horatio’s Garden Northern Ireland has been the official charity partner of Ulster Rugby since 2022, with the team supporting the ongoing appeal for the garden’s maintenance.
The garden will open in December 2023.