The Children’s Ward garden at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust has undergone a complete makeover, creating an improved outdoor area to play and relax in for some of the hospital’s youngest patients. The transformation is all thanks to the local Time is Precious charity, which raised £33,000 to pay for the improvements.
The new-look garden contains a basketball net, football goal, playhouse, play panels, slides, ride-ons and even a wooden bus. There is also a chill out hut, benches and picnic tables for those patients and their families who want to rest or have a snack.
RUH Chief Executive, Cara Charles- Barks, said: “I am so grateful to Time is Precious for their incredible generosity. Thanks to them we have been able to completely transform the outdoor garden area for our Children’s Ward.
“It’s so important that our young patients have the opportunity to enjoy some time playing outside in the fresh air if they can. It can help to improve their recuperation and gives them a break from being on the ward. These really are fantastic improvements that are going to make such a difference to some of our youngest patients.”
The Time is Precious charity was set up in 2011 by Coleford couple, Neil and Nicky Halford in memory of their son Ben, who passed away from cancer aged just five. Ben was treated at the RUH, as well as Bristol Children’s Hospital and the former Frenchay Hospital.
The aim of the charity is to help create a more comfortable and relaxed atmosphere for children and their families in hospital and at home. To date, it has donated more than £200,000 to the RUH in the form of equipment and refurbishment projects.
Most recently, the charity paid for a specialised DVD player which has been installed in one of the MRI scan rooms in the Radiology department, allowing patients to watch their favourite movie while they have their scan.
Neil Halford said: “It has been a privilege to complete the refurbishment of the garden, we have tried to include something for everyone. Time Is Precious has already started on our next projects at the RUH.
“The RUH was like a second home to Ben and our aim is to help make the stay in hospital for children and their families that little bit easier.”