Published on: 18th September 2025
Yesterday we celebrated the fifth anniversary of the opening of Horatio's Garden at RNOH. At the time, Horatio’s Garden London & South East was their fifth garden, and since then they have added more across other spinal units in the UK. They now have gardens in eight of the 11 NHS spinal injury centres in the UK. Their vision is for everyone with a spinal injury to have a Horatio's Garden as part of their rehabilitation care.
Staff, supporters and volunteers from Horatio's Garden were joined by patients and staff; the rain held off too, just about! There was some truly gorgeous homemade cakes and freshly pressed apple juice made the previous day.
The garden was designed by award-winning Tom Stuart-Smith, with a vision to create a garden “that offers people hope, change and growth and that has the capacity to transform the lives of people with spinal injuries when they are most in need.”
The garden offers a vital place for reflection and adjustment, privacy and solace, joy an companionship. The head gardeners offer gardening workshops to grow and cultivate plants and organise a programme of events. Evidence shows the gardens support better sleep, vitamin D levels, improved relationships, mental health, distraction from pain and reduce stress.
Our thanks to Horatio's Garden and all the staff and volunteers who help maintain such a beautiful place for our patients, families and staff.
