Ben Bradshaw opens Beautiful View garden

Posted on 9th July, 2014

Ben Bradshaw MP has opened a stunning new garden area at Franklyn Hospital’s Belvedere Ward in St Thomas, Exeter. The Beautiful View garden has been made possible with £115,000 from the Prime Minister’s Dementia Challenge Fund and it follows a number of major improvements that have been made to the ward over the past few years – including a £2.5m facelift completed in 2011. The opening ceremony was attended by around 50 people, including those staying on Belvedere Ward, family members and staff, as well as the designer of the garden, Gill Melling. Commenting on the new garden, Occupational Therapist, Carrie Clarke, said:  “The garden is making a huge difference to people at Belvedere.  As well as providing a relaxing, therapeutic outdoor space in which to spend time, we have a couple of small vegetable plots which provide both enjoyment and meaningful activity.  It is a wonderful place to spend time and is already much-loved by everyone here.” Belvedere Ward supports older people from all over Devon with severe dementia-type illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s disease.  Its neighbouring ward at Franklyn Hospital, Rougemont, supports older people with severe illnesses such as depression. For further information contact Peter Leggatt on 01392 208693 or at peter.leggatt@nhs.net