Chris Packham joins families to open new Garden of Memories at Martin House

Bereaved families supported by Martin House were joined by wildlife presenter and conservationist Chris Packham as they opened our new Garden of Memories.

The new outdoor space at our hospice in Boston Spa has been created to give families somewhere peaceful to reflect, remember their child and feel connected to them.

A place to remember

The Garden of Memories was developed with feedback from our Bereaved Parent Advisory Group, alongside our care teams, and has been designed so bereaved families can visit independently at any time.

Inspired by therapeutic stories including The Hare-Shaped Hole and The Invisible String, the garden brings together a number of thoughtful and interactive elements.

Some have been created by siblings through our Memory Makers Project, funded by Hospice UK’s Dying Matters Community Grants Programme.

During the opening, Chris threaded the first ribbon onto a remembrance weaving board.

Chris said: “It’s been an amazing afternoon. Martin House is absolutely astonishing.”

“To make such a positive difference to people’s lives, when those lives were at their most fragile, is absolutely heartwarming. And to have a garden like this that everyone can use is another remarkable asset in what is a truly remarkable place.”

Before joining families in the garden, Chris toured Martin House and learned more about the specialist palliative care and bereavement support we provide.

Letters to Loved Ones

The garden also includes a Letters to Loved Ones post box, funded by Amardeep Sirha and Theo Morris in memory of their son, Simba.

The post box gives bereaved families a private place to leave letters, cards, drawings and messages to their children, offering another way to continue that connection.

Amardeep and Theo posted the first letter during the garden opening.

They said: “Bringing people together was such a special part of who Simba was. We wanted to fund this post box in his memory so that something created in his name could continue offering comfort and connection to others.”

“Grief does not end, and neither does the relationship we have with our children. There are always more words to say, more memories to share and more love to give. We hope this will give families a simple, private and meaningful place to leave those words.”

“Having somewhere in the Garden of Memories where we can return, write to him and feel connected means so much. It has been created in Simba’s name, but it is there for every child and every family who needs it.”

Supporting families after a child dies

Bereavement support is an important part of the care we provide at Martin House.

Each year, we support around 200 bereaved family members, alongside more than 550 children and young people with life-shortening conditions and their families across West, North and East Yorkshire.

Vicki Greensmith, Director of Clinical Services at Martin House, said: “The Garden of Memories has been shaped by the families who will use it, so it was important that they were at the heart of opening it.”

“When a child dies, our support for their family doesn’t end. This garden gives families another place at Martin House where they can spend time, remember and feel close to their child.”

“We’re very grateful to Chris for joining families for such a meaningful occasion and taking the time to learn more about their experiences and the support Martin House provides.”

See our bereavement support page for more information on the services we have available.