In a joint initiative between the Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital League of Friends, Isle of Man Bank staff and the hospital, a new garden has been created for the benefit of patients and staff at Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital. The previously uninspiring area has been transformed into a safe, pleasant garden with a lawn, patio, benches, flowers and wind chimes.
At the celebration party to mark the completion of the project, Ginette Hattersley, Acting Hospital Manager, said:
'I would personally like to thank the Ramsey League of Friends for their continuous support of the many projects happening at the hospital. Today, I would say a special thank you to them for the donation that enabled the garden to be rebuilt and the purchase of the lovely plants and garden furniture. My thanks also go to the staff of the Isle of Man Bank for their supreme effort in turning this uninspiring space into a safe pleasant garden for both patients and staff. It is lovely to see that some of the patients find therapeutic benefit by caring for the plants and shrubs. We hope that patients and staff will continue to enjoy the garden for years to come.'
Ginette then asked one of the Martin Ward patients, Charlotte Patterson and her daughter Abbie Sisson (aged 4) to cut the ribbon and declare the garden officially open.
Hospital staff considered that the area needed rejuvenating following the opening of the newly refurbished Martin Ward in 2011. It is due to the many other positive developments within the community facility that have taken place within the last year, such as the Wound Management and Podiatry clinic that the transformation of the garden has taken some time to come to fruition.
The Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital League of Friends were keen to help with a donation to provide plants and garden furniture. The League also contacted the Isle of Man Bank to ask the staff to be involved as part of the company’s Community Footprint programme. The Isle of Man Bank volunteers came for a whole day in April to clear the area in preparation for the laying of a small lawn and patio area.
Patients and staff had the enjoyment of choosing plants, flowers and shrubs, along with benches and wind chimes to create the beautiful peaceful space. There is a gently sloping ramp which allows for wheelchair access and is wide enough so if patients are confined to their beds, they too can be enabled to enjoy the outdoor space.
Sharon Quayle from the Isle of Man Bank, who is also Secretary to the Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital League of Friends, said:
'The staff of the Isle of Man Bank were honoured to be asked by Mr Leonard Singer MHK, Chairman of the League, to help with this garden project. Our volunteers arrived on the bright sunny day in April, and immediately realised the potential of the space. We thoroughly enjoyed the day even though it was extremely hard work. It is so pleasing to see all patients and staff enjoying using this garden just like a little piece of home.'
