A garden centre has donated £500 to brighten up the outdoor space at a rehabilitation unit for people living with complex mental health illness.
Perrywood, a family garden centre business, made the donation to Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust’s rehabilitation unit in Ipswich Road, Colchester.
It was part of a £10,000 charitable initiative to celebrate Perrywood’s 70th anniversary.
Staff at the unit used the donation to buy items including a parasol, garden chairs, plants, pots and a vegetable trug.
Charge nurse Jane Fisher said patients find nurturing the garden therapeutic, and they can use the outdoor space for quiet reflection or to sit and speak with staff or each other.
Jane said: “We were fortunate enough to be supplied with two beautiful hanging baskets, sensory plants and bedding plants, a large trellis, and some teak oil to give our original garden furniture a new lease of life.
“We also have a huge parasol to give the patients some shade, and bags of bird food to encourage the wildlife in the garden.
“We still have some money left over so plan on returning to Perrywood with some patients to pick out some autumn plants to replace the fuchsias in the hanging basket.
“We were very surprised to have been chosen to receive a donation as part of their celebrations but it has certainly brightened up the Ipswich Road unit.”
People receiving care at the Ipswich Road rehabilitation unit are supported to regain their independence and manage their health and wellbeing before they return home or to supported accommodation.