REMEMBRANCE GARDEN
We were honoured to be commissioned by Greenfingers Charity to redesign the Remembrance Garden at Rainbows Hospice in Loughborough.
We were honoured to be commissioned by Greenfingers Charity to redesign the Remembrance Garden at Rainbows Hospice in Loughborough.
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Concept
We wanted to deliver a beautiful family-centred space which was both private and restful. Inspired by the achievements of Rainbows’ staff, and their personalised approach to each family, we aimed to reflect their care and sensitivity in this unique space.
Design
We created a circular pathway to guide visitors through the Garden, giving them places to stop along the way to pause and reflect. We placed a new remembrance tree in the heart of the extended garden, surrounded by seating, and introduced a new soothing water feature. The planting was designed to reflect the energy of the hospice’s ‘staff and the 'rainbow' hues of the building's interior and spirit, giving visiting families comfort and energy throughout the year.
We wanted to deliver a beautiful family-centred space which was both private and restful. Inspired by the achievements of Rainbows’ staff, and their personalised approach to each family, we aimed to reflect their care and sensitivity in this unique space.
Design
We created a circular pathway to guide visitors through the Garden, giving them places to stop along the way to pause and reflect. We placed a new remembrance tree in the heart of the extended garden, surrounded by seating, and introduced a new soothing water feature. The planting was designed to reflect the energy of the hospice’s ‘staff and the 'rainbow' hues of the building's interior and spirit, giving visiting families comfort and energy throughout the year.
Remembrance Tree
Rainbows wanted a new Remembrance Tree in the Garden, so that bereaved families could commemorate the child or young person that they had lost by making their own personalised glass leaf. So we all worked with a local family-owned company Caltef Designs and local glassmaker Lynn Jackson to create a bespoke, life-sized corten tree from which these beautiful leaves can be hung.
Rainbows wanted a new Remembrance Tree in the Garden, so that bereaved families could commemorate the child or young person that they had lost by making their own personalised glass leaf. So we all worked with a local family-owned company Caltef Designs and local glassmaker Lynn Jackson to create a bespoke, life-sized corten tree from which these beautiful leaves can be hung.
"I just wanted to say again a huge thank you to you all for transforming our Remembrance Garden into a beautiful, reflective space.
The sensitivity of the design is respectful of the past and has brought life, energy and a sense of the sacred into what was also a very static place. The generosity of Greenfingers and your energy have allowed this all to happen.
I am confident that the garden will be a healing refuge to our bereaved families as well as a quiet space for our staff to reflect on our hospice work." David Hamilton, Psychological and Bereavement Lead at Rainbows Hospice
We commissioned some bespoke pieces of sculpture to sit within the gravel beds, providing year-round interest and new homes for floaty grasses.
We also made sure that as much of the existing materials were re-used to retain the connection to the old space, as well as to make the most of the budget available. Hand-crafted curved benches used the stone that had clad the previous water feature, and the old pavours were re-used to make a new pathway through the garden.
We also made sure that as much of the existing materials were re-used to retain the connection to the old space, as well as to make the most of the budget available. Hand-crafted curved benches used the stone that had clad the previous water feature, and the old pavours were re-used to make a new pathway through the garden.
Water table
Our design also incorporated a circular water table, also made from corten steel, which provides a constant soothing contemplative sound.
Our design also incorporated a circular water table, also made from corten steel, which provides a constant soothing contemplative sound.
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This project has been a fantastic collaboration of like-minded professionals and individuals, who have dedicated their time and their skills to creating this very special place;
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Rainbows Hospice supports nearly 400 families in the East Midlands area, with life-limited children and young people from 0 to 30 years of age.
Staff’s aims are to help brighten their short lives by encouraging them to create and capture memories as well as supporting their loved ones through these most difficult of times. The Remembrance Garden plays an important part in providing families with a safe and protected space in which to remember their loved ones after they have passed away.
Staff’s aims are to help brighten their short lives by encouraging them to create and capture memories as well as supporting their loved ones through these most difficult of times. The Remembrance Garden plays an important part in providing families with a safe and protected space in which to remember their loved ones after they have passed away.
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