Green Spaces

This project aimed to help patients aid recovery by improving the environment around the Wedgwood House mental health unit in Bury St. Edmunds through planting and artwork creation. It was kindly funded by Tesco’s ‘Bags of Help’ initiative.

Patients discussed and chose plants together with a Landscape Architect for two outside areas – outside Wedgwood House and in the Northgate and Southgate courtyards, where herbs, shrubs and ferns were planted, providing aromatic areas and increasing the number of insects visiting the courtyards.

Participants were encouraged to draw and photograph plants and then to paint their own picture on marine ply board. These pictures, together with donated paintings from local artists and school children, formed an outdoor exhibition in the main courtyard and Abbeygate courtyard, providing interesting focal points and initiating dialogue amongst patients and staff.

The fund also enabled the purchase of tools for the patients to maintain the areas.