Garden lovers don't need to be told that plants, gardens and gardening is therapeutic, it's inherent knowledge in us all. Just a few moments spent in nature lifts energy levels, rejuvenates tired minds and feeds our souls.
One garden at this year's Hampton Court Palace Flower Show takes
this concept and uses it as part of its message. 'Hope Begins at Home'
has been designed to highlight and support the work of Combat Stress,
which helps ex-servicemen and women suffering from Psychological
injuries.
The garden was officially opened by Veteran War Correspondent Martin Bell OBE. I asked him what the garden meant to him: " I think it matters a lot, I think we in Britain are only just beginning to understand the sacrifices that we are asking our soldiers to make and the average infantry battalion comes back from a six month tour of duty, with eight, nine, ten dead, sixty injured, some permanently disabled and so many injured in the mind and this is about helping the young men and women with injuries of the mind."
The garden projects a story of hope and nurture within its calm sapce. Some of the plants have even been grown and cared for by veterans. It is encased with timber sleepers carved with the names of conflicts that have occured since World War I. It's a sobering sight and one that deserves some contemplation from every visitor to the show ground. Combat Stress received 1257 new referrals last year alone, an increase of 66% since 2005. It already cares for 58 veterans who served in Afghanisan and 265 that served in Iraq and has supported over 100 000 psychologically wounded veterans.
The garden was awarded a Silver Flora Medal.