3rd Test Guides return to celebrate Jubilee year at NHS gardens
A group of Southampton Guides returned to add some colourful finishing touches to Solent NHS Trust’s charity funded employee wellbeing gardens at the Western Community Hospital in Millbrook, Southampton.
The girls from the 3rd Test Guide group came up with their own Jubilee focused designs for the garden area situated near to the entrance of the Adelaide Health Centre on the Western Community Hospital site. The group also spent time preparing and planting a border of colourful bedding plants, including flowers arranged in the shape of a crown, and sunflowers and sweet peas to attract bees.
Guide leader Soph Strickland, who works on the Western site as a children’s nurse, said: “The guides welcomed the opportunity to return to the garden ahead of the summer flowering season. They are passionate about keeping the garden a beautiful outdoor space for NHS staff to enjoy.”
Soph added: “Our intention this year was to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee. Our wall of hearts celebrate the Queen’s rein and we have also included some blue and yellow in our planting as a nod to the situation in Ukraine.”
Generously funded by NHS Charities Together, the open space was paid for in part through the efforts of the late Captain Sir Tom Moore, along with a second staff garden at St Mary’s Community Health Campus in Portsmouth.
Andrew Strevens, Chief Executive of Solent NHS Trust, said: “We were delighted to welcome guides from 3rd Test back and are incredibly grateful for the generous gesture by this group of community-minded young people.
“I know that our staff really enjoy spending time in the garden area, and now they can also enjoy the Jubilee themed display.”
3rd Test guides, who are based in Maybush, are welcoming new young people to their group. People who are interested in joining should visit https://go.girlguiding.org.uk/join-us/join-as-member/