Compton Hospice unveils beautiful new gardens after £150,000 cash boost

FOUR acres of stunning new gardens at Compton Hospice have been unveiled after a £150,000 cash boost.

Staff and supporters from the Wolverhampton hospice gathered to see former trustee Janet Wilson-Bett join chief executive Ron Middleton declare the gardens open.

The Department of Health allocated £72,000 and a further £80,000 has been pledged to support the development and maintenance of the gardens in private donations in remembrance of people cared for at the hospice.

Mr Middleton said that a public opening of the gardens will take place next spring, when the gardens will be covered in a riot of colour.

He said that the hospice would be ‘eternally grateful’ to the Department of Health, as well as the private benefactors who had made the work possible, and the national Help the Hospices organisation who had overseen the administration of the Government grant.

He also thanked Mike Westley Design, BJ Landscapes, Wolverhampton designer Sue Hope and Albrighton landscape gardeners Boningales for all their hard work in completing the gardens.

“These beautiful gardens will help the spiritual well-being of our patients, their relatives and our staff,” said Mr Middleton.

“We are extremely pleased that they have turned out so beautifully.”

Fundraiser Suzanne Davies explained that the money for the gardens and a recent ward refurbishment, including a patient hoist system, better lighting and wardrobe facilities, a new nurse call system and new brightly decorated and furnished lounges for patients and their families, had come in two separate grants from the Department of Health, under their Dignity in Care for Older people programme.

She added that the hospice team was particularly pleased with glass work by patients, relatives and staff on a new curved wall.

And Suzanne said that a new walkway in the front lawn has meant the grounds were being used more.

“Now patients can exercise and enjoy the fresh air. It has encouraged patients to play with their children and grandchildren on the lawn,” said Suzanne.

· A public opening of the gardens will follow next spring, when members of the public will also be given the opportunity to sponsor decorative stones in a ‘pathway of memories.’