Gleeds was delighted to sponsor the recent opening of the new Horatio’s Garden Northern Ireland, which took place on 15th June.

Horatio’s Garden is a charity which nurtures the wellbeing of people with spinal injuries, working with leading garden designers to create vibrant outdoor sanctuaries within the heart of NHS hospitals. The charity’s mission is to open gardens at all 11 NHS spinal injury centres in the UK. In addition to sponsoring the opening event, Gleeds is proud to have provided project management services both on this project, and the forthcoming garden which is due to be opened next year at Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital – having already won ‘Best in Show' at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023.

The gardens are vital places for reflection and adjustment for people facing life-changing spinal injuries and long stays in hospital. The positive impact of a Horatio’s Garden is clear for patients, their loved ones and hospital staff. 95% of patients use the existing gardens at least once per week, while 91% of patients reported improved mental health as a result of having access to the facility.

The newly opened garden is a fantastic new addition at Musgrave Park Hospital in Belfast, which is significantly improving the wellbeing of patients with spinal injuries from across Northern Ireland. Designed by multiple RHS Gold medal winner Andy Sturgeon, the garden is the seventh facility to be opened by Horatio’s Garden and will add to the resounding positive impact the charity has already made in hospitals across the UK. The garden’s design includes a water feature and a warm garden room with timber cladding and a green roof. Garden pods also offer extra socialising spaces, where patients can get involved in art and horticultural therapy.

We are very grateful for Gleeds' wonderful support of Horatio’s Garden Northern Ireland. As the project managers of the garden’s build and kind sponsors of our official garden opening, it was brilliant that some of the Gleeds team were able to join us to celebrate. Thank you to the whole Gleeds team for their fantastic support.

Stephen Hudd, Director of Fundraising (maternity cover) at Horatio’s Garden

We’re extremely proud of the work done with Horatio’s Garden to deliver this wonderful new space for patients with spinal injuries.As an organisation, working with the communities in which we operate to make a difference is of the highest importance. We’re looking forward to continuing to support Horatio’s Garden in their vital work.

Tim Hanna, Director at Gleeds