Volunteer Graham’s Courtyard Transformation
Graham with one of the many beautiful plant pots
MKUH volunteer Graham Clark has transformed a plain courtyard at the hospital’s new Maple Centre into a flower-filled space.
Graham, who volunteers on the unit two days a week, thought it would be a good idea to cheer up the area with pots filled with summer plants. He snapped up ailing plants at local car boot sales and coaxed them back to full health in his own garden before planting them in pots and bringing them into the hospital.
“I thought it would be lovely if staff and patients could look out on to a bright and colourful area rather than an expanse of paving slabs,” says green-fingered Graham. “I visited car boots and bought plants that really weren’t that healthy and gradually brought them back to peak growth.”
The courtyard before its transformation
Graham has filled pots all around the edge of the courtyard with a riot of summer blooms, including gerbera, lavender, and geraniums – with the odd rogue tomato plant making an appearance!
“I’m really pleased with how beautiful the flowers look at the moment,” says Graham. “When the summer flowering plants are over, I’ll be adding different plants to keep the colours going throughout the autumn before planting bulbs ready for spring.”
Ward 1 manager Laura Sutton adds: “So many people have commented on how lovely the flowers are. Graham has done a marvellous job!”
Last Modified: 8:42am 08/08/2023
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