The community garden at Fareham Community Hospital, Hampshire was officially opened this week (22 April) by colleagues from Community Health Partnerships (CHP), Friends of Fareham, and members of the local community who have helped to shape and support the project.
The garden came about after a generous donation from the family of the Late Alderman Brian Bayford. Brian had been closely connected to the hospital that stood at the site before and then continued his support for the current hospital, this donation allowed the local teams to do something different. The garden is the result of months of dedication and collaboration, transforming an underused green space into a bright, welcoming and vibrant hub for patients, staff and visitors. Thoughtfully designed to foster calm, connection and restoration, it offers a place where people can pause, reflect and enjoy the healing benefits of nature.
Local schools and community groups have played an active role in supporting the garden project, reinforcing its role as a shared community asset. This collaborative approach highlights how CHP LIFT buildings are not just places where healthcare is delivered, but spaces that bring people together and strengthen local communities.
There is increasing evidence of the positive impact that access to green spaces can have on health and wellbeing. In response, CHP has supported the development of several community gardens across the NHS LIFT estate, creating inclusive spaces that promote mental wellbeing, recovery and social connection. The Fareham garden complements wider preventative health approaches, offering a tranquil setting that supports both physical and emotional health.
Working closely with Friends of Fareham, LIFTCo partner Solent Estates Partnership Ltd, and a wide range of community groups, CHP’s Operations and Relationship Manager, Lee Williams, has been instrumental in turning the vision for the garden into reality. The project has been supported by a number of local organisations, including Love Outdoors CIC, Coastal PCN, Reach Social Enterprise, Stewarts Garden Centres, FE Chase, Right to Work CIC and Persimmon, demonstrating the powerful impact that can be achieved when estates, health and community priorities are aligned.
This garden is a fantastic example of what’s possible when we work together with our NHS and community partners. It has been inspiring to see so many people contribute their time, ideas and energy to create a space that will make a real difference to patients, staff and the wider community for years to come.
The Friends of the Hospital are delighted to have been able to contribute to this stunning community garden. This meets our aims of enhancing the experience of patients, staff, and visitors to the hospital. Our involvement would not have been possible without contributions from the family of the late Alderman Brian Bayford and Persimmon Homes as Brian was involved in bringing the hospital to Fareham and opened it as Mayor of Fareham.
Seeing this project come to life is partnership at its very best. Solent Estates Partnership is delighted to support work driven by the passion and commitment of local volunteers and the community, creating spaces that promote wellbeing and deliver real benefits for patients, staff, and local people.
It was fantastic to open the community garden at Fareham Community Hospital. Having been involved from the very beginning, it’s incredible to see how much the space has transformed and, most importantly, how it is already being enjoyed by staff, patients and community groups.
Over the past year, we have worked closely with Lee from CHP, along with Vicky and Georgina, Social Prescribers from Coastal PCN, to bring the garden to life, supported by a dedicated team of volunteers and local contractors. It has truly been a collective effort, and we couldn’t be prouder of what has been achieved.
We’re excited to see how the garden continues to grow and evolve, creating a lasting legacy for the local community, a space to improve health and wellbeing, and to connect with others and nature.
As the garden opens for all to enjoy, it stands as a visible reminder that CHP buildings are about more than healthcare alone, they are places that promote wellbeing, connection and community. Through initiatives like this, CHP continues to champion the creation of spaces that support healthier lives for patients, staff and local people alike.
Find out more about Buildings at the Heart of the Community
CHP’s Buildings at the Heart of the Community initiative aims to encourage local community groups and charities to make the most of our buildings by enabling the use of space in our centres to host health and wellbeing related events.
