Grant supports garden sanctuary at The Fountain Centre, Surrey

A Community Garden Grant from the National Garden Scheme has helped fund planting and hard landscaping at The Fountain Centre, an independent charity supporting cancer patients and their loved ones. With space provided by the Royal Surrey County Hospital next to Oncology Outpatients, the centre is equipped with treatment rooms, counselling spaces, a lounge, a kitchen, office and a garden and is now an integral part of the hospital’s cancer department, offering refuge and support to all cancer patients.

As part of the National Garden Scheme’s funding, each community garden is presented with a commemorative plaque and on Monday 17 November, Surrey County Organiser, Clare Bevan presented a plaque to Kas Girdler, Community Engagement Manager at The Fountain Centre.

“It has been such a long and rewarding journey to get to this stage in the garden’s creation,” said Kas. “The recent redevelopment of the area has created an accessible space with plenty of seating for patients and their families to find sanctuary. We are so grateful to the National Garden Scheme, and to every volunteer and donor who has contributed to the garden’s design, build and completion.”

Patient Chris Place, who joined the presentation, spoke about the peace that he had found in the garden following his cancer diagnosis and how The Fountain Centre had helped him through difficult times.

It is hoped that the National Garden Scheme’s local network of gardeners will continue to support the garden with the supply of more plants. “Every garden is a work in progress,” said Clare Bevan who opens her own garden in Surrey. “Some plants love a space, others do not, so we are happy to look at continuing our support with plants that thrive and fit with the wonderful, original design of the garden.”

Each year the National Garden Scheme, with generous funding from The Julia Rausing Trust, donates £300,000 to community garden projects across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Applications open in September. For more information click here.

 National Garden Scheme, County Organiser for Surrey, Clare Bevan with Kas Girdler, Community Engagement Manager at the Fountain Centre – joined by Community Garden Grant Administrator Vince Hagan and Chris Place