Local foundation’s grant supports hospital dementia garden

Above: Fundraising and Events Manager for East Cheshire NHS Charity, Lily Preston (left) with Laura Turner, Vernon Building Society’s St Petersgate Branch Manager (right) 

Patients with dementia at Macclesfield District General Hospital are to benefit from a new therapeutic garden thanks to a generous grant from a local charitable foundation.

Thanks to the Vernon Charitable Foundation, set up by Greater Manchester’s Vernon Building Society, a grant of £4,200 was awarded to East Cheshire NHS Charity which will help develop a new specially designed garden to provide a calming and engaging environment for patients.

The new garden will aim to improve the well-being and quality of life for those affected by dementia, offering them a peaceful space to enjoy nature and engage in meaningful activities.

Lisa Nixon, Activities Coordinator on the ward said: “We are thrilled to receive this generous grant, which is allowing us to create a therapeutic environment where patients can engage in activities, enjoy nature, and find moments of peace and relaxation. 

“It will be a wonderful addition that is significantly enhancing their well-being during their stay with us.”

The Foundation is the official charity of the Vernon Building Society, and supports local charities providing public benefit in Stockport, Cheshire and Greater Manchester focused on the prevention and relief of poverty and community development.

Trustee of the Foundation, Ian Wilson, said: “We’re delighted to fund a new therapeutic garden to benefit people living with dementia in East Cheshire, and their family carers. 

“This is one of the first grants that Vernon Charitable Foundation has given. It is committed to funding local projects that have a lasting legacy in the local community, and this initiative run by East Cheshire NHS Charity is a great example of this.”

East Cheshire NHS Charity goes above and beyond standard Government funding to make your local NHS that extra special. From supporting staff health and wellbeing to providing toys to brighten up our young patients’ days to making long stay patients feel more at home – their mission is to make a visible difference.

They raise funds to support Macclesfield District General Hospital, Knutsford Community Hospital, Congleton War Memorial Hospital and a range of community services.

If you’d like to get involved in fundraising for East Cheshire NHS Charity, as an individual, group or workplace, or could nominate them as a charity of the year partner, get in touch with the fundraising team on ecn-tr.ecnhscharity@nhs.net  or visit https://eastcheshirenhscharity.org/