NFU Mutual Volunteering Day at Stratford-upon-Avon Hospital
We had the pleasure of welcoming 17 wonderful volunteers from NFU Mutual for a very productive volunteering day as part of our ongoing partnership with the company. Their efforts brought meaningful progress to two special projects at Stratford-upon-Avon hospital: the Courtyard Garden and the Garden of Wellbeing, both of which aim to support NHS staff, hospital patients, and the wider community.
Courtyard Garden Progress: The Courtyard Garden is becoming a tranquil haven for reflection and connection, and our volunteers played a key role in its development. Together, we positioned planters and garden furniture to bring structure and charm to the space. They also painted the inside fence a lovely 'warm stone' colour, brightening the area and creating a welcoming ambiance.
Garden of Wellbeing: In our thriving Garden of Wellbeing, the volunteers turned their hands to much-needed gardening work, tackling weeding, planting perennial plants, and ensuring everything was well-watered to flourish. Their hard work on this garden will help the area continue to grow as a peaceful nature space for everyone who visits.
Reconstructing Living Walls: The team reconstructed the living walls, which will soon be installed outside the new dedicated diagnostic facility. These beautiful vertical gardens will enhance the environment, making it inviting for all who pass through and add colour and vibrancy to the space.
Compost Sieving: The volunteers also sieved our rich, home-grown compost from our compost bays (crafted from garden and food waste) to prepare nutrient-packed potting soil to promote healthy plant growth and sustainability.
Our Thanks to NFU Mutual: We’re immensely grateful to NFU Mutual and their wonderful team of volunteers for their support, hard work, and community spirit. Every planter positioned, fence painted, and living wall reconstructed brings us closer to completing and maintaining these gardens that will benefit so many. Thank you for being part of this journey!
“It was a fun and enjoyable day spent with colleagues doing good in the community. There was a great variety of tasks to do and there was a big sense of satisfaction at the end to see the visual impact we could create. Thank you Forest of Hearts for running a successful day with our team of volunteers”
- NFU Mutual employee and community volunteer