THE Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) welcomed a visit from the High Sheriff of Essex, Julie Fosh, on Friday 20 June to mark the start of the Gibberd Ward Garden development, a project supported by local charity, Rainbow Services.

The Rainbow Services Youth Project works with young people aged 14 to 18, who have disengaged from school, giving them the opportunity to access their purpose-built carpentry workshop in Harlow, gain qualifications and get involved with community activities. 

PAHT bid for £1,000 that was allocated by Rainbow Services to further develop the Gibberd Ward Garden at The Princess Alexandra Hospital; the bid was also match funded by The Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) Charity. Uplands, a local garden design company, who are supporting PAHT to create other spaces at the hospital, have also lent their support by helping to oversee the design work, providing labour and some materials too. 

The young people from the Rainbow Services Youth Project, who have worked alongside youth workers from Rainbow Services, and Uplands, delivered a static wooden train they have constructed, that will now become a centre piece of the Gibberd Ward Garden, alongside other sensory features. 

Natalie Tarrant, head of the PAH Charity said: “I am delighted to see the development of the new Gibberd Ward Garden at The Princess Alexandra Hospital start to come to life thanks to the funding from Rainbow Services that was match funded by the PAH Charity.

“Thank you to the young people from the Rainbow Services Youth Project for their efforts to create the hand-crafted features, to Uplands, for lending their support, and to all our volunteers and other community partners involved bring this to life.”

Julie Fosh, High Sheriff of Essex, said: “It was a delight to see young people so engaged in this excellent initiative. Jason and his team together with the volunteers have provided such positive leadership and role models and the young people have certainly risen to the challenge. 

“It is clear that when we get it right, education can be accessible and loved by all.  Great teamwork, social interactions and skill development. A huge well done and I would love to come and visit again when the planting is established.”

Jason Shaves, project manager at Rainbow Services said: “Working on the Gibberd Ward Garden development has been a fantastic opportunity for the young people to put their skills to use, within the Harlow community. It’s our biggest project to date, what an achievement. We’re incredibly proud of what they’ve accomplished, and the positive impact it will have.”

The Gibberd Ward Garden will be used by the hospital and other community groups; and will be closely managed and maintained by a team of volunteers led by Viv Rennie, who also gives her time to support patients on the wards as part of the meet and greet team within voluntary services.

For further information about the Rainbow Services Youth Project visit www.rainbowservices.org.uk/projects/youth-project.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer at the hospital, to support patients on the wards, or to join the team looking after garden spaces, please email [email protected].