West Berkshire Community Hospital – Rainbow Room Garden Project
4 years ago we were approached by a nurse at the West Berkshire Community Hospital (WBCH) with plans for a Rainbow Room garden.
The WBCH has 4 Rainbow rooms, these are rooms that are for to terminally ill patients to spend their last few weeks or days in, being cared for by the staff at the hospital and allowing family and friends a comfortable, private space to spend precious time with their loved one. She had noticed that whilst caring for patients in the Rainbow rooms that although 2 of the rooms had a beautiful view of the gardens the other two on the other side of the hospital looked out onto the rear of the kitchens and the bins.
After seeking permission to go ahead the Rainbow Room Garden Project was ready to be started, we were approached to see how we could help and agreed to supply the project with 20 tonnes of hard core and 20 tonnes of sand for the base of the project, because the area is walled in on three sides it was agreed that we would also supply artificial grass as the best option for this space.
After a wait to get the access door signed off and built, a large mural was painted on the kitchen wall opposite to draw the eye, large planters were created to screen the garden and to define the area.
Then Covid hit.
Under immense pressure the staff at the hospital worked through the most trying period in NHS history, we clapped in support whilst they save lives and the Rainbow Room Garden project was put on hold.
Fast forward to 2022 and the project was full steam ahead with C&E Groundworks now on board, a patio had been laid so that patients in beds could be wheeled into the garden, a pathway had been created and another mural had been added to the second wall, with seating and a pergola being added too the space was really coming together.
It was time for the artificial grass and we approached our artificial grass suppliers Florco and explained the history of the project, we were delighted when they agreed to supply the grass FOC!
The garden was officially opened on 20th September and it is looking amazing, 80 people who helped by either donating time, goods, services or money were invited to attend the opening and it was lovely to see so many people with a common goal coming together.
So many people have lost a loved one to a terminal illness, it makes the Rainbow Rooms such a special place and an invaluable asset to our community hospital and now all 4 rooms have a beautiful garden to enjoy too, Rivar Sand and Gravel are very happy to be able to support it.
