Girl Guides extend their heartfelt thanks for community garden project
The 3rd Test Guide group of Southampton extends their gratitude to members of Solent NHS Trust’s Executive Team for their support on their work on the wellbeing gardens in the grounds of the Western Community Hospital.
Chief Executive, Andrew Strevens, Chief of Nursing and Allied Health Professionals, Angela Anderson, and Nikki Burnett, Chief Finance Officer, have been champions of the green initiative since it started in 2020.
Several of the budding young gardeners, led by Soph Strickland, Guide Leader for 3rd Test Guide group, met Andrew and Angela at the garden this week to express their thanks in person.
Soph Strickland, Guide Leader for 3rd Test Guide group, explains: “We wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you to Andrew, Angela and Nikki for their support and encouragement with the guides’ ongoing community garden project at the Western Community Hospital on our special day – World Thinking Day, and we wanted to celebrate this partnership between the two organisations which has been really special and valued over recent years.”
The garden near the entrance of the Adelaide Health Centre in the grounds of the Western offers a tranquil space for employees as well as a location for the Girl Guides to enjoy being in the fresh air and contributing to a green project which boosts the local community.
Andrew Strevens, Chief Executive, admits: “I have valued the ongoing relationship with the Guides, which started during the COVID pandemic. I am proud that Soph has been able to bring together both organisations, which shows the benefits of collaboration.”
Angela Anderson, Chief of Nursing and Allied Health Professionals, adds: “This thank you was a lovely recognition of our relationship with the Girl Guides. We are very moved by their planting work on the garden which is used by staff and visitors to take a break and reflect. We are looking forward to nurturing this relationship for years to come.”
Soph reveals: “The Guides will be returning later this year to continue with their community project, and staff and patients have often commented how colourful it looks. As we move to a new Trust, we hope that this collaboration continues to grow.”
The gardens, which were generously funded by NHS Charities Together, will continue to be tended to and enjoyed by many.