Hospice UK CEO, Tracey Bleakley, champions the importance of garden visits in new video

Hospice UK’s CEO Tracey Bleakley is a long-time supporter of the National Garden Scheme and a passionate advocate for the benefits gardens and outdoor spaces have on our health and wellbeing. Tracey and the Hospice UK team recently visited Trevor and Janet’s beautiful garden, 20 Whitepit Lane, High Wycombe to complete some filming for the charity. After months of working from home, this visit was a wonderful day out for the team and reiterated the importance of getting outdoors.

“At Hospice UK, we share the National Garden Scheme’s vision of the valuable therapeutic benefits of gardens in promoting people’s physical and emotional wellbeing. Gardens have a very important role in hospice care, providing a beautiful and tranquil space for people with terminal and life-limiting conditions and their families to receive counselling, bereavement support, learn new skills or simply take time out for quiet reflection.

“During this time in particular, outdoor spaces have been more important than ever in looking after the nation’s mental and physical wellbeing. The National Garden Scheme are safely reopening many of their gardens and I would encourage all who can to book a visit. Not only will you get to enjoy the tranquillity of these beautiful spaces, but you will also be raising vital funds for nursing and health charities like Hospice UK, who find themselves at the forefront of the battle against COVID-19.

“At Hospice UK, we are hugely grateful for the continued support for hospice care shown by everyone at the National Garden Scheme – the garden owners, county organisers and volunteers – and also to members of the public who visit these beautiful gardens. Thank you.”

The National Garden Scheme has been supporting Hospice UK since 1996, donating over £5 million in that time and helping to support the 200,000 people and their families who benefit from hospice care and to reach the 118,000 who need hospice care but don’t currently have access to it. To find out more about this partnership click here

To visit the Acorns Children’s Hospice that took part in our Virtual Garden Visits this summer click here