Project: Garden Redesign East Lothian Community Hospital
Bringing Nature, Wellbeing and Connection to Patients, Visitors and Staff
A major redevelopment of the outdoor spaces at East Lothian Community Hospital is transforming the gardens outside Ward 1 and Ward 2 into welcoming, accessible and therapeutic environments where patients, visitors and staff can connect with nature.
The project has been developed to create safe, attractive outdoor spaces that support wellbeing, encourage social interaction and provide opportunities for reflection, relaxation and therapeutic activities. Through thoughtful design, these gardens will bring colour, wildlife and sensory interest into the hospital environment while creating stronger connections with the natural world.
The garden serving Ward 1 (Palliative Care) has been made possible through funding from the Blythe Family Trust Foundation.
The Vision
Working in collaboration with clinical staff, NHS Lothian Charity commissioned Hinterland Studio to design two purpose-built therapeutic gardens tailored to the needs of the people who use them.
The designs focus on:
Improving access to nature and fresh air
Creating therapeutic spaces that support health and wellbeing
Providing year-round colour, fragrance and sensory interest
Encouraging wildlife and increasing biodiversity
Ensuring accessibility for patients with a wide range of mobility needs
Supporting meaningful horticultural activities and social interaction
The Gardens
Funded by the Blythe Family Trust Foundation, the Blythe Garden has been designed as a peaceful and contemplative sanctuary for patients receiving palliative care and their loved ones.
The garden combines a private enclosed space with a larger open area around the building, creating a calm and welcoming environment for quiet reflection and quality time with family and friends.
Key features include:
Accessible self-binding gravel pathways suitable for beds, wheelchairs and mobility aids
Ornamental planting designed to be visible from both the garden and patient rooms
A carefully selected colour palette inspired by the hospital’s architecture
Raised planters bringing colour and interest into the terrace area
A sheltered structure allowing people to enjoy the outdoors throughout the year
Wildflower meadow areas, trees, bird baths and feeders to attract wildlife
Additional raised planting positioned for visibility from ward bedrooms
The result will be a garden that offers comfort, beauty and connection with nature during some of life’s most challenging moments.
The Oak Tree Garden has been designed as a safe, vibrant and engaging outdoor environment for adult mental health and dementia patients.
Built around a gentle circular route, the garden encourages movement, exploration, social interaction and therapeutic gardening activities.
Key features include:
Raised growing beds for horticultural activities
A central social seating space with shade canopies
Scented planting to stimulate the senses
Woodland-inspired seating areas
Sensory planting designed to provide interest throughout the seasons
Enclosed wildflower meadow areas
Biodiverse planting schemes that encourage birds, pollinators and other wildlife
Raised planters positioned so they can be enjoyed from adjoining bedrooms
The garden will provide opportunities for exercise, relaxation, social connection and meaningful engagement with nature.
Supporting Therapeutic Horticulture
To ensure these gardens continue to thrive and deliver lasting benefits, NHS Lothian Charity has appointed a dedicated Horticultural Practitioner.
The Practitioner will provide expert, non-clinical support to patients, visitors and staff while maintaining and developing the gardens over time.
Working alongside ward teams, they will lead activities including:
– Vegetable growing
– Plant propagation
– Flower arranging
– Bird watching
– Seasonal gardening activities
– Nature-based wellbeing sessions
These activities will help patients build confidence, develop new skills and experience the proven benefits of spending time in nature.
Project Updates
We hired in specialist landscape architects (Hinterland Studio) to engage with patients, staff and clinical teams to understand both the opportunities and challenges associated with the existing spaces.
This collaborative approach helps ensure the gardens will meet the unique needs of patients while creating environments that are welcoming, safe and beneficial for everyone who uses them.
The redevelopment works on the outdoor spaces started in the adult mental health and palliative care wards.
The gardens have been carefully designed to provide:
Spaces for quiet reflection and privacy
Opportunities to spend time with loved ones outdoors
Fragrant planting and seasonal colour
Wildlife-friendly habitats
Accessible routes for all users
These improvements represent a major investment in patient wellbeing and therapeutic outdoor provision.
A significant phase of the East Lothian Community Hospital Gardens Project is scheduled for completion in late July 2026.
The redevelopment has transformed the outdoor spaces serving Ward 1 and Ward 2 into accessible therapeutic environments designed to improve wellbeing and strengthen connections with nature.
The project has introduced new pathways, planting areas, seating spaces, shelters and wildlife-friendly features that will support patients, visitors and staff throughout the year.
Planting and establishment work will continue as the gardens mature into vibrant, biodiverse spaces.
Volunteer Opportunities
We are currently recruiting local gardening volunteers to support the Horticultural Practitioner and help the gardens flourish.
Volunteers will play a valuable role in:
Garden maintenance
Planting and seasonal tasks
Supporting therapeutic gardening activities
Creating welcoming outdoor spaces for patients and visitors
Find out more about our Green Health projects
Connect to our network to learn and share
If you feel passionately about the benefits of nature and their potential in addressing health inequalities, join our Green Health Network. All you need are a few good ideas, a little time to spare and a willingness to be involved with promoting and supporting green health activities across the Lothians.