Publish date: 29 July 2024
This was the third year that the team have welcomed visitors to their garden at the festival helping to raise awareness about arthritis, which is estimated to affect around 10 million people in the UK. Their theme this year ‘Be Our Guest’ - focused on creating positive conversations around arthritis and inviting people to come forward and find out more. Previous themes include exploring the relationship between people living with arthritis and the healthcare professionals supporting them.
The garden took two days to build and plant, but with many more hours behind the scenes in advance finalising the concept and coordinating the design. The build team also received help from neighbouring display teams and was partly funded by Portsmouth Hospitals Charity.
Colin Beevor, Matron at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, said, “I’m so proud of the team involved in this garden, everyone has worked hard to support each other.
“We know that living with arthritis brings unique concerns, particularly related to mental and social health. Struggling with fatigue, anxiety, and low mood alongside chronic pain can leave people feeling alone. Through this garden and encouraging connection with others who understand what people with arthritis are going through, we hope that people will be able to take that crucial step towards acceptance and realise they have a great support network around them.”
The team including representatives from Arthritis Action, as well as clinicians and volunteers from the outpatient’s rheumatology department at Queen Alexandra Hospital helped answer questions around everything from arthritis in general to hand grip and strength advice to help people struggling to garden. They also showcased gardening aids available to help people with arthritis to carry out low-level jobs in the garden as well as unique ideas for raised bed planting.