Manchester Flower Show plants get a new home at our hospice

By News Team on August 17, 2021

Flowers from this year’s Manchester Flower Show have been given a brand new home at St Ann’s. 

Many of the blooms which made up the eye-catching displays in the city centre last month have been donated to us so that they can be planted in our grounds for patients and their loved ones to enjoy. 

We took part in the Manchester Flower Show for the first time this year as part of our 50th anniversary celebrations. Our hospices in Little Hulton and Heald Green both have beautiful outside spaces for families to relax in. 

The plants from the show have been replanted into the hospice gardens by some of our many volunteers who maintain the outdoor areas for patients to enjoy. 

The gardens at our hospice sites are so incredibly important, whether for patients to spend some time in the fresh air, carers or family members to take some time out in a relaxed setting, or for staff or volunteers to have a break too. We’re really appreciative of the plant donations and they’re looking fabulous in the gardens – it’s so great we’re able to put them to such good use and make sure they continue to bloom after so many people have enjoyed them as part of the show. Rachel McMillan, Chief Executive

The hospice’s own Manchester Flower Show garden on King Street in Manchester City Centre this year, featured forget-me-nots and other flowers planted in raised beds crafted from pallets used to deliver PPE in the past year.  

It was created by a team of volunteer gardeners, creative therapists and Girlguiding volunteers, under the direction of hospice supporter and garden designer Maria Stripling, and visual artist and designer Lynne Duric.  

Manchester leads the way in so many areas, and as a hospice we’re proud to lead the way too, providing world-class care from right here in this amazing city. It was such a joy to be part of the Manchester Flower Show and people were really surprised by our garden too, as it tried to dispel many of the myths that exist around hospice care. People are often scared of the word hospice and unsure what we do, so it’s really exciting to have been part of such an exciting initiative in the city. Rachel McMillan, Chief Executive