Morgan Sindall supports opening of new reflection garden at Bradford Royal Infirmary

Morgan Sindall Construction, which recently completed work at Bradford Royal Infirmary’s new maternity assessment centre, has played a key role in the opening of a reflection garden at the hospital.

The new outdoor space for people to remember and reflect was officially opened at Bradford Royal Infirmary by ITV’s Love Your Garden presenter, Katie Rushworth, on Monday, 4th November.

The garden was made possible thanks to a generous £44,840 grant from NHS Charities Together which Bradford Hospitals Charity (BHC) secured.

This new resource is situated on the Smith Lane side of the hospital and will be a place where colleagues, patients and visitors can come and sit in quiet contemplation if they need a break away from the office or wards.

Morgan Sindall donated plants and provided volunteers to work on the reflection garden as part of its commitment to supporting the local community.

Ben Hall, Yorkshire area director for Morgan Sindall, said: “While delivering the new maternity assessment centre we were keen to find ways we can support the hospital, its patients and its staff. We’re proud to have helped bring the reflection garden to life and we hope this wonderful new area acts as a place of calm that will bring comfort and support to all those who use it.”

The reflection garden is in a tranquil, peaceful setting, situated close to Prospect Cottage which is home to the Trust’s Spiritual Pastoral and Religious Care (SPARC) team, where people can access wellbeing support and advice.

The garden was based on a design idea by Roger Scales from Bradford Council’s Landscape, Design and Conservation team and built by the Trust’s Estates and Gardening teams over a period of eight weeks.

Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director responsible for BHC at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Saj Azeb, said: “The reflection garden is an important addition to our Trust, and we hope it will enhance the mental and physical wellbeing of our patients, families and colleagues here at Bradford Royal infirmary.

“The pandemic and subsequent years have been tough on all of us and this quiet area recognises that we all need space to remember those we have loved and lost.

“The garden has also been designed as an uplifting area for renewal and reflection. We sincerely hope that colleagues, patients and visitors will find it a safe haven, where they can come to pause, take a break and make the most of this wonderful, green space.”