Hospital Patients Get New Garden

Patients at the Priory Grange hospital in Hemel Hempstead have taken part in an innovative project to create their own kitchen garden.

As part of environmental charity Groundwork Hertfordshire's Lottery-funded 'Mind, Body & Soil' scheme the patients have been involved in planting and tending a sustainable kitchen garden, which can be used and maintained by the hospital's patients for many years to come.

The garden was officially opened by the Worshipful The Mayor of the Borough of Dacorum, Councillor Mrs Carol Green.

The Priory Grange Hemel Hempstead is a 34-bed home for adults aged 25+ with enduring mental health problems, cognitive deficits, physical illnesses and challenging behaviours.

The project, one of only three in Hertfordshire, has enabled patients who would not normally have had the opportunity to be involved in the growing of their own food to learn and understand the process.   By growing fruit and vegetables together, the clients learnt to work as a team and improve their social skills, as well as learning about healthy eating.

Patsy Jackson, hospital director of the Priory Hospital, Hemel Hempstead said:  "We are very fortunate to have been involved in the development of this project, which has had tremendous benefits for our patients both in terms of their mental and physical health.

"We would like to thank Groundwork and all its team for their overwhelming support, and also commend our staff and patients who worked very hard to make the project a success.  I am sure the hospital will reap the benefits of their hard work over the forthcoming months and hopefully years to come."

Sherry Robinson of Groundwork Hertfordshire said:  "It has been inspiring to watch both the food grow and the patients grow in terms of their confidence and their knowledge of gardening and healthy eating."

Groundwork has received funding to run three 'Mind, Body & Soil' projects in Hertfordshire each year for the next three years.

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