The new projects form part of the charity’s ongoing commitment to designing and building therapeutic gardens in hospices across the UK, ensuring that children with life-limiting conditions along with their families and carers have access to outdoor spaces tailored to their needs.
Over the last 25 years, Greenfingers Charity has created almost 70 hospice gardens, each providing a unique haven for the entire hospice community.
- Acorns Children’s Hospice, Walsall – The garden at Acorns Children’s Hospice, Walsall started on the 10th of February. The garden has been designed by VaRa Garden Design, whom are working to create a safe, engaging and tranquil outdoor spaces providing much needed fun, comfort, respite and joy for the children and their loved ones that call Acorns ‘home’. Alongside, VaRa are the teams from Pleydell Smithyman, a specialist design and business consultancy and Paul Taylor Landscapes who were appointed landscaping contractor for the project.
- Hope House Children’s Hospice, Oswestry. The Greenfingers Charity has confirmed the appointment of Landstruction as the landscaping contractor for its Gathering Heart Garden at the Hope House Children’s Hospice in Oswestry. Landstruction previously worked on the Greenfingers Garden at Claire House in The Wirral. Work on this exciting new outdoor space is due to start in March 2025.
- Chestnut Tree Hospice, Arundel. A new kitchen garden is set to be created at the Chestnut Tree Hospice in Arundel – designed by Fisher Tomlin & Bowyer. This garden will produce fresh food for the hospice kitchen, will be a place for children to learn about growing and a place for parents to talk. The build will be carried out by Baylis Landscape Contractors Ltd, who were previously responsible for the garden at Demelza Hospice. Construction is scheduled to begin in April, with funding generously provided by Roger Head.
- Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, Sheffield. A beautiful new outdoor space, the ‘Together Garden’ is set to transform the area outside one of the Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice bereavement suites. Designed by landscape designers, Phil Hirst and Joanne Charlton, the garden will offer a peaceful and comforting environment for families lasting memories. Supporting the project will be the recently appointed Jus Landscapes & Exteriors, with hard landscaping set to begin in April. The garden will debut at the RHS Flower Show Wentworth Woodhouse in July. The plants and elements of the garden will be carefully relocated to the new hospice garden after the show.
New projects for 2026
- At Naomi House in Winchester, Greenfingers is embarking on an ambitious project to transform its outdoor space into a therapeutic haven. The hospice has requested the creation of sensory areas, points of interest, seating spaces, and shaded zones. With a south-facing garden that is visible from the children’s bedrooms, the aim is to design a space that brings comfort, tranquillity, and a connection to nature, offering a peaceful environment for both children and their families.
- Haven House in Woodford Green, Phase 2 of the Woodland Walk is now being planned. This phase will focus on creating a Memory Tree and a covered seating area, which will provide a serene space for bereaved families and those facing the most difficult stages of their hospice journey to take time to reflect and remember.
- Dougie Mac in Stoke-on-Trent, Greenfingers will be redesigning and rebuilding its Woodland Walk to enhance accessibility for all visitors, regardless of mobility. The new design will include sheltered areas to allow the garden to be used in all weather conditions, ensuring the hospice can maximise its outdoor space throughout the year. This redesign aims to create a welcoming, inclusive environment where families can relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings, offering support and respite during challenging times.
Neil Sewell, Operations Director at Greenfingers Charity said: “The support from the garden designers and landscapers we are working with, as well as Pleydell Smithyman, is invaluable, and we cannot wait to see how these beautiful gardens will take shape over the coming months. With each project we undertake, we see first-hand the positive impact Greenfingers Gardens have on children’s lives, bringing smiles and precious moments to families during difficult times.”
Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising & Communications added: “We are thrilled to be moving forward with these incredible projects. We know that gardens play a crucial role in the well-being of children and families in hospices, providing a place of peace, reflection, enjoyment and so much more.”
Greenfingers is a national charity dedicated to supporting life-limited children and their families who spend time in hospices around the UK. The charity is committed to creating, beautiful, well-designed outdoor spaces for children to enjoy with family, friends and siblings, whether through play and fun, or therapeutic rest and relaxation.