By Jim Nicholson, Hospice Gardener at Wigan & Leigh Hospice
Working in the hospice gardens each day, I’m reminded of how deeply nature supports our wellbeing. Being surrounded by greenery – the movement of leaves, birdsong, shifting light – helps people feel grounded. You can often see tension lift from someone’s shoulders when they step outside or even sit by a window.
Research shows that time in green spaces can lower stress, reduce blood pressure, and improve mood. Even brief contact with nature, like looking at trees through a window, can ease anxiety. For people living with serious illness, these small moments of calm can make a real difference.
Our hospice gardens back onto Amberswood Nature Reserve, and we try to bring a little of that wildness into the space here. Patients and families use the gardens in all sorts of ways: some sit quietly with a cup of tea, others watch the squirrels darting about, and some simply enjoy feeling the fresh air on their face. For many, it’s a place to take a moment away from the intensity of illness – a small escape where they can breathe, reflect, or just be part of the natural world.
The small details matter. Every patient room has something to look at – a flowering shrub, a bird feeder, or a splash of seasonal colour. The bird feeders are especially popular. Watching the birds and squirrels brings comfort, distraction, and a sense of life continuing all around.
Spring is one of my favourite times here. Winter can be tough – long nights, cold days, plenty of rain – but when the crocuses and daffodils appear, you can feel the mood lift. Those first signs of colour bring a gentle kind of hope that people really respond to.
Maintaining the gardens is a year‑round effort: weeding, pruning, clearing paths, managing the ponds. I’m lucky to have a brilliant group of volunteers who join me on Monday mornings. It’s hard work, but the rewards are huge. Patients, relatives, and staff often tell me how much the gardens mean to them, and that makes every early start worthwhile.
This year, our efforts were recognised with ‘Best Hospice 2025’ at the North West in Bloom Awards, and an ‘Outstanding’ rating in the It’s Your Neighbourhood Awards. It’s lovely to see the team’s work celebrated, and we’re proud to be maintaining RHS‑recognised standards.
Many families tell me they try to bring a bit of this feeling into their own homes. Even a single plant placed where someone can see it from their bed can offer comfort and a sense of connection to the outside world. Nature doesn’t have to be big to be meaningful.
If you’re a keen gardener and fancy joining us on a Monday morning, we’d love to welcome you. There’s always room for another pair of hands – and plenty of joy in helping this special place grow.
Note: This article was originally published on the Wigan Today website, on Monday 2 March 2026.