Wellbeing success stems from ophthalmology staff's vision for garden

PICTURED: Ophthalmology staff Gwyn Williams, Consultant Ophthalmologist; Jill Gaffney, health care support worker; Clinical Nurse Specialists Helen Williams and Jenn Lloyd; Rebecca Collins, staff nurse; Mazeda Begum, clerical support and Jo Bellamy, health care support worker in the wellness garden.

Fresh air and flowers are giving ophthalmology staff in Singleton Hospital a chance to reset and recharge thanks to a dedicated wellness garden.

The service’s vision to develop an area next to its base in the hospital has given colleagues a space to unwind and relax outdoors during their break.

Staff have also dug deep and planted their own flowers to spruce the garden up, with a wide range of flowers adding a mix of colour.

The area has been identified as an opportunity to boost staff wellbeing and mental health.

Helen Williams, Ophthalmology Nurse Practitioner, said: “When the ophthalmology service moved into what is now known as corridor 8 in Singleton, we inherited a small garden area. This area had been used over the years as a garden and play area for minor injuries and more recently the Surgical Assessment Unit before it moved.

“We decided to use it as a garden area where staff can sit and relax in their dinner breaks and it slowly developed into a wellness garden.

PICTURED: The wellness garden has proved a big success with the Ophthalmology team.

“It has been a labour of love over this past summer and is still in early stages. We have put in lots of seating and planted up pots and flowers - all this has been done out of the staff’s goodwill.

“It is an area where staff and doctors can go to just breath in fresh air and sit in a calm environment before going back into our busy Ophthalmology clinics.

The wellbeing benefits of the garden are highlighted ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10.

Jennifer Lloyd, Specialist Ophthalmic Nurse Practitioner, has utilised the garden for personal and professional reasons.

Jennifer said: “I use the garden as much as possible. It’s a place where I can come away from the work environment and relax during my break. It’s important to be able to switch off for a little bit if you need it.

“The garden also gives us an opportunity to hold work meetings as a group as it’s a secluded area, or just to socialise.

“Being surrounded by flowers in the garden is quite therapeutic, and gives everyone who uses it a moment of relaxation.

“Our clinical areas don’t have any windows, so it’s a refreshing change going outside and enjoying the fresh air and flowers.”