Alice in Wonderland-theme garden opens at hospital

A BEAUTIFUL new therapy garden with an Alice in Wonderland theme has officially opened at Stepping Hill Hospital.

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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.