A beautiful new therapy garden with an Alice in Wonderland theme has officially opened at Stepping Hill Hospital. The charity-funded garden, designed to offer therapeutic support and a calming environment, is set to benefit patients with a wide range of long-term conditions, including those living with dementia and mobility issues.

The Acute Frailty Unit Therapy Garden, which transforms a once-neglected courtyard into a vibrant and peaceful outdoor space, was funded by a £68,000 grant from the Greener Communities Fund, which exists to create and enhance green spaces and improve access to nature for NHS staff and patients. The Greener Communities Fund is a partnership between NHS Charities Together and the environmental charity Hubbub, supported by Starbucks – and the garden is one of the first completed projects from the second round of the Greener Communities Fund.

The project was led by Groundwork Greater Manchester (GGM), with the support of Stockport NHS Charity and the hospital’s therapy staff. Over the past year, local landscapers worked to create a tranquil space where patients with long-term health conditions, dementia or mobility issues can relax, or engage in structured outdoor activities to help them build stamina. The outdoor space will also provide a mental health boost for patients and their loved ones, as well as staff and volunteers.

 True to the Alice in Wonderland theme, the ‘Mad Hatter’ statue is a nod to Stockport’s rich history in hat making. A statue of Alice sits near a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party table and chairs, with plant pots also based on characters from the book. The garden also includes planters and a small greenhouse so that patients can take part in planting as part of their therapeutic activity.

 Research commissioned by NHS Charities Together found that 8 in 10 of us feel healthier and more energetic after spending time in nature, while 70% of us report improved mental and physical health – from better sleep to reduced stress and improved mood. Patients from the Acute Frailty Unit (AFU), and eventually other areas of the hospital, will all be able to benefit from the space.

 The opening was attended by representatives of NHS Charities Together, Hubbub UK, GroundWork Greater Manchester, staff and volunteers from the AFU, Stockport County FC Club President Steve Bellis, Stockport NHS Charity committee members, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive Karen James OBE, and Chair David Wakefield. The first patients were present at the opening too, enjoying the new garden. In keeping with the theme, the opening included a fabulous cake based on the Mad Hatter’s hat. Alice herself was also in attendance – as played by Play Specialist Jeanette Burden.

 Kate Leadbeater, Charity Manager at Stockport NHS Charity said: “This has been such a magical opening event which is a reflection of the magical space which has been created here for our patients. It was an honour to receive the Greener Communities Funding, and I’d like to wholeheartedly thank our funders NHS Charities Together, Hubbub and Starbucks, who have helped make our dream for patients come true. I’d also like to send special thanks to our community partners Groundwork Greater Manchester for their expertise and professionalism and for walking every step of this amazing journey with us.”

 Karen James OBE, Chief Executive for Stockport NHS Foundation Trust said: “It was a real pleasure to be part of the opening of this beautiful new garden. The benefits of therapeutic spaces such as this for patients are well established, and we are very grateful for the generosity and hard work of all the partners involved who have helped to make this possible.”

 Chris Easton, Director of Strategy and Impact at NHS Charities Together, said: “I was delighted to be invited to the official opening of the new therapy garden at Stepping Hill Hospital, and to see what was once a neglected space be brought to life. It’s always such a pleasure seeing first-hand the positive impact the charity’s funding is having in healthcare settings across the UK. Projects such as these play a crucial role in improving the hospital environment – and our wider commitment to improve the health of NHS patients, staff and communities around the UK, including right here in Stockport.”