Our second garden at Helen House was officially opened by Her Royal Highness , The Duchess of Cornwall on 28 June 2007. The garden was commissioned to celebrate 25 years of hospice care for children at Helen House, the world’s first hospice dedicated to children not expected to live beyond 18 years old. It was also the 25th garden to be created by the Greenfingers Appeal, using funds raised by the UK gardening industry.
 The garden, designed by Clare Matthews, has been carefully tailored to meet the varied needs of the children – many of them suffering from conditions that result in some degree of sensory impairment – their relations and friends and the staff. Although compact, the garden has a number of distinct areas, all of which are accessible to wheelchair users, with each providing a different experience.
A magnificent mature lime tree has been cleverly incorporated into the scheme as the centre of a wheelchair accessible tree house – the ideal play den and a great hide to observe the birds and butterflies in the wildlife area.
A sea of planting supporting shoals of mirrored stainless steel fish forms the basic structure of the highly creative water garden section, which also includes a Perspex play rill, mirrors and wobble bridges. Alternative play opportunities take the form of raised sandpit, blackboard and wheelchair roundabout.
 Tactile and scented herbs fill raised beds along the herb walk at just the right height for children in wheelchairs to trail their hands through them and raised planting benches in the vegetable garden ensure that wheelchair users can enjoy cultivating their own plants.
Areas for peace and quiet reflection are vital in this situation, and the secluded quiet garden is screened, and planted with silver and white foliage and flowers. Benches facilitate tranquil rest around a large ‘gazing ball’ central feature.
Over £50,000 has been raised by The Greenfingers Appeal to fund the creation of the garden. Chairman Richard Jackson said: “We are delighted that Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cornwall, has been able to see the difference that a high quality garden environment can make to the lives of the life limited children here. It is a credit not only to designer Clare Matthews but also to all our supporters in the gardening industry that help generate the funds for us to continue this important work.”
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