A Leicestershire family has created a lasting tribute to their much-loved grandmother by helping transform the garden at St Luke’s Hospital, where she received compassionate care during the final days of her life.
Jill Barnett, who died aged 92 and was known affectionately as “Mamar” by her family, spent her final days in the hospital’s End-of-Life suite following a stroke. After being transferred from an acute hospital to the community hospital in Market Harborough, she received specialist palliative care.
Wanting to thank the staff for the kindness and compassion shown to Jill and her family, they asked for donations in lieu of flowers at her funeral. The donations were enhanced through matched funding from Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust’s registered charity, Raising Health, helping to make a transformation of the garden surrounding the End-of-Life suite possible.
At the end of September, Jill’s family and friends joined a team of volunteers from insurance company AXA to complete the refurbishment, coordinated by the Trust’s charity and volunteering teams.
Together, they weeded and cleared the garden, restored and repainted a bench, refreshed planting beds and introduced a variety of flowers and plants to provide colour, texture and seasonal interest throughout the year.
The circular garden area has also been planted with daffodils, which the family and team are looking forward to seeing bloom next spring, creating a colourful display for patients, visitors and staff.
Amy Gray, Jill’s granddaughter, said: “When my grandmother was moved to the End-of-Life suite, our family was facing one of the hardest times imaginable. We will always be grateful that this service was there when we needed it most. The kindness, dignity and compassion shown by the staff meant so much to all of us.
“We wanted to do something meaningful to say thank you and to make a difference for other families who will find themselves in the same situation. Knowing that this garden will provide a peaceful place for patients and loved ones to spend time together and create precious memories means a great deal to us. It feels like a fitting tribute to Mamar and a way for her legacy to continue helping others.”
Callum Wright, a family friend who helped bring together the volunteer team through AXA’s Hearts in Action scheme, said: “As a friend of the family, I saw first-hand how much the care and support of the End-of-Life suite meant to them. When the opportunity arose to combine the family’s fundraising efforts with AXA’s volunteering programme, it felt like a wonderful way to support a cause that was so close to their hearts.
“The team threw themselves into the project and worked incredibly hard throughout the day. Seeing the transformation of the garden and knowing it will bring comfort to so many people in the future made every minute worthwhile.”
Magda Korytkowska, fundraising manager for Raising Health, said: “This project demonstrates the incredible impact that can be achieved when families, communities, corporate partners and charitable funding come together with a shared purpose.
“The End-of-Life suite provides a vital space where families can spend precious time together during some of life’s most difficult moments. Thanks to the generosity of the family and the commitment of AXA volunteers, the garden has been transformed into an even more welcoming environment.
“We hope this story inspires others who have experienced care within our Trust to consider supporting our charity. Every donation, fundraising activity and volunteering effort helps us create projects that make a real difference to patients, families and staff.”
The revitalised garden will continue to provide a calm and reflective outdoor space for patients receiving palliative care and their families, with the newly planted daffodils set to bloom next spring.
