Christine Parsons: Ashgate Hospice Day Centre Garden, Chesterfield

This was a particularly challenging brief with regard to use as the garden would be used by young and old, families, in-patients, out-patients and staff. The designer has created a really excellent design that is appropriate to the site aspect and the building’s purpose. With very good hard landscape detail and beautiful planting, which is soft and in keeping with the needs of those enjoying it, this scheme improves the building and the landscape enormously; overall an extremely accomplished design and project implementation.

Background

Ashgate Hospice, Chesterfield, on the edge of the Peak District is an independent registered charity that provides specialist palliative care, both in the hospice and community settings, for adults in North Derbyshire. Although it is one of the largest hospices in the country (employing 130 staff in clinical and support positions, helped by an additional 165 volunteers) it is still only 50% funded and has to raise the rest of its funds through charity shops and charitable events

• This site is 3-4 acres, mostly greenbelt, apart from the immediate area around the new building, which is a large contemporary extension to a grade two listed building.
• The special funding for which we helped the hospice bid, in competition with other hospices, was available for capital projects only. No funding for ongoing maintenance.
• This hospice is one of the largest in the country and yet is still only 50% funded and has to raise the rest of its funds through charitable events. With one full time, unqualified, though very willing gardener, volunteers and grounds of approaching 6 acres, a team of 130 other nursing and support staff who are the warmest individuals one could hope to meet.

Sculptures

To my design and crafted locally from fallen Oak these are interesting to look at as well to touch and are truly natural and environmentally friendly.

Planting

Roses and some traditional plants were required for the elderly patients, to help them connect with past times. More recent introductions were also requested and plants for wildlife were used as this was felt to be important to these patients. Year round interest was a priority as patients will only be here for a couple of months. All gardens are sensory gardens, in this one plants have lots of different textures to look at and touch, colour combinations vary around the site: the south facing entrance has lots of brown paintwork, and this is picked up in the planting e.g. Heuchera ‘Chocolate ruffles’. The orange brickwork and cream block work is complemented by Helenium Moerheim beauty, Sisyrinchium striatum and Crocosmia Lucifer, with contrast at the corners with Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ and Allium ‘Purple Sensation’. This is visible from the road and the bottom of the car park and is buzzing with insects all summer but plenty of winter evergreen and lots of spring bulbs.

It is a humbling experience to hear patients, being pushed around in wheelchairs by loved ones, looking at plants and remembering gardens past and lives lived. The garden has made a massive difference to staff, visitors, but most of all to patients at a vitally important stage of their lives. Everyone is extremely grateful for what we have created.

JUDGE’S COMMENTS

This was a challenging brief with regard to use – needing to cater for young and old, families, in patients and out patients and staff. 77% over 65 (patients).

Very good hard landscape detail. Excellent design – appropriate to the site, building and purpose. Overall an extremely professional package/job.

Beautiful planting, soft and appropriate without being ‘corporate’. Improving the building and landscape hugely. The presentation is excellent.

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