St Cuthbert’s Hospice has been chosen by Hospice UK to be the recipient of a garden from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025.
The Hospice UK Garden of Compassion will celebrate the important role of hospice gardens in end-of-life care. The garden will be created by award-winning designer Tom Hoblyn and is sponsored by Project Giving Back, a charity that funds ‘gardens for good causes’ at Chelsea.
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show, which takes place in May, is one of the most famous gardening events in the world, having run for over 100 years. Following the show, the garden will be relocated to St Cuthbert’s Hospice to become a permanent place of compassion for patients, guests, staff and volunteers to enjoy.
The garden is inspired by Olive Houses in Mallorca, where purple-hued ‘houses’ are built around monumental, craggy boulders. The Garden of Compassion will focus on ‘connecting to nature’ and a blend of natural materials and carefully selected plants will evoke the essence of a Mediterranean landscape.
Whilst the initial inspiration may be Mediterranean, many aspects of the garden, including its materials, will be as local as possible. Tom has researched the region and will incorporate design elements inspired by the River Wear and Cuthbert’s Moor in the North Pennines. The climate in Durham has been considered for the choice of materials and plants that will feature.
A variety of pathways will encourage exploration and connection, creating a tranquil journey through each distinct space. Each room will serve a unique purpose, allowing users to engage with the garden in a personal and meaningful way.
Accessibility has been at the forefront of the design. Both a wheelchair and a hospice bed can be wheeled right through the garden. We know that patients at the end of life often express a wish to enjoy the outdoors in their final days, something which has guided Tom during his design process. The garden will feature spaces which allow privacy. The sustainability of the materials used will mean the garden will weather well for years to come.
John Eggleston, a volunteer gardener at St Cuthbert’s for the past 13 years, shared this with us when talking about the incredible news:
“In my first few weeks of volunteering at St Cuthbert’s Hospice, I met a patient on the veranda which overlooks the space where the garden will be replanted. He’d been helped outside to enjoy the view and said to me: ‘you know what mate, I know I’ve not got long left and I just want to spend my last days looking at these gardens’.
“Those words have stayed with me. I know the garden is going to mean so much to people here. We’re all absolutely over the moon and it’s going to be a real pleasure to help maintain this special garden that many people will enjoy for years to come.”
Jeff McWaters, from Spennymoor in Durham, has been attending the Living Well Centre at St Cuthbert’s Hospice since February 2023. He has Huntington’s Disease which was diagnosed many years ago and there’s currently no cure or any way to stop it from getting worse.
Jeff said: “It’s fantastic to hear that the hospice is getting this garden from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show next year. I love watching it on the telly and look forward to when they give the gold. I hope this garden gets one!
“I’m always asking the garden volunteers what each plant is. I used to have my own allotment and greenhouse but had to give it up as I couldn’t handle it anymore. Gardening has lovely memories, like growing baby cucumbers for my granddaughter’s lunchbox.
“I’ve done a few groups in the hospice gardens and made hanging baskets and bird feeders, that kind of thing. It’s nice to meet people and do different activities. I didn’t do anything before coming here and now I do something every week. It takes my mind off things a bit and gets me out the house. I’ll look forward to looking around the new garden when it comes.”
Jeff McWaters, from Spennymoor in Durham, has been attending the The Living Well Centre at St Cuthbert’s Hospice since February 2023. He has Huntington’s Disease which was diagnosed many years ago and there’s currently no cure or any way to stop it from getting worse.
Jeff said: “It’s fantastic to hear that the hospice is getting this garden from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show next year. I love watching it on the telly and look forward to when they give the gold. I hope this garden gets one!
“I’m always asking the garden volunteers what each plant is. I used to have my own allotment and greenhouse but had to give it up as I couldn’t handle it anymore. Gardening has lovely memories, like growing baby cucumbers for my granddaughter’s lunchbox.
“I’ve done a few groups in the hospice gardens and made hanging baskets and bird feeders, that kind of thing. It’s nice to meet people and do different activities. I didn’t do anything before coming here and now I do something every week. It takes my mind off things a bit and gets me out the house. I’ll look forward to looking around the new garden when it comes.”
The Garden of Compassion celebrates life and the connections we share with each other – and the natural world that we are all a part of – making it a fitting tribute to the essential work of hospice care.
We’ll share more news as and when we can as this exciting project progresses!
FAQ:
What is The RHS Chelsea Flower Show?
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is one of the most famous gardening events in the world, having run for over 100 years. The garden show is held for five days in May by the Royal Horticultural Society in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in Chelsea, London. The show is attended by members of the Royal Family as well as many celebrities. It is open to the public and is attended by 157,000 visitors each year (a number limited by the capacity of the 11-acre (4.5 ha) ground), and all tickets must be purchased in advance. New plants are often launched at the show and the popularity of older varieties revived under the focus of the horticultural world.
www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show
Who is the Designer?
Tom Hoblyn trained at Kew Gardens. He has worked with clients such as Cambridge University, National Trust and Woodland Trust. In 2019 he created a Hospice Garden for Havens House Children’s Hospice. This experience taught him the importance of Hospice care and how vital garden spaces are in a care setting.
Tom is an established figure at both RHS Chelsea and RHS Hampton Court, he has won three gold, four silver gilt and two silver medals, as well as the coveted People’s Choice Award for his Arthritis UK sponsored garden and a nomination for The People’s Choice of The Decade Award in 2020. In May 2022 he was awarded a further gold medal for his garden, The Boodles Travel Garden at RHS Chelsea. He is a member of the Society of Garden Designers, (MSGD).
What plants will be used?
As soon as we have a plant list we will share it. Tom did tell us that some of the plants will be a first for the UK and The Garden of Compassion will be the only garden with this particular variety!
How will the garden get to Durham?
The details for this are currently being mapped out and we’ll update as we know more.
Can I get involved?
If you’d like to express an interest in helping with the relocation of the Garden of Compassion please get in touch. If you’d like to support as a business please email communications@stcuthbertshospice.com or as a volunteer please email volunteers@stcuthbertshospice.com.
