National Lottery boost for children’s garden at Heartlands
Heartlands Hospital Charity has received funding from the Big Lottery Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, to help transform the children’s garden at the hospital into a fresh air play space for children receiving treatment.
The children’s garden, located by the children’s wards at the hospital, is currently not child-friendly, and is in great need of renovation.
Heartlands Hospital Charity has been awarded a £9,499 of funding from the Big Lottery Fund, to help create a fun space for children to relax and play in while they are treated at the hospital.
The new garden will provide a fun space for children to relax and play in, out in the fresh air, whilst they are in hospital. The garden will include a fun pirate ship which will offer the children a chance to stretch their legs, and play with their siblings and fellow patients as they would if they were at school or in the park.
The garden will also include a quiet space where children can meet with members of staff from the hospital, giving them the chance to open up about their fears or concerns in a non-clinical space.
Local school pupils will be able to use the garden to come and find out more about the hospital, helping to overcome any negative connotations that the children may have about the hospital.
Sian Averill, Fundraising Manager at Heartlands Hospital Charity, said: “Our thanks go to the Big Lottery Fund, and all National Lottery players in the UK, for the grant that will help the Charity to develop the children’s garden at Heartlands. The renovations would not be possible without the donations and grants that the Charity receives, and the National Lottery grant will go a long way to help us change the experiences of thousands of young patients every year.”
James Harcourt, England Grant Making Director at the Big Lottery Fund, said: “We are delighted to help fund the renovation of this garden, which is about providing a therapeutic space for children and young people receiving hospital treatment. It’s great to see the community join together to create something wonderful which is important to them in their local area.”
Heartlands Hospital Charity needs your help to bring the new children’s garden to the hospital. You can find out more, or donate, at heartlandschildren.org
The Big Lottery Fund distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes. Last year it awarded over £241 million to projects across the UK supporting children and young people. 90% of the grants it makes are for under £10,000.
Pictured above are Sarah-Jayne Wetton, nurse, Vinnie Jones, a young patient, and Christine Morrell, play specialist, pictured in the children's garden which Heartlands Hospital Charity is fundraising to renovate.
