Members of the Oxford Health Charity Team were excited to drop into Didcot Community Hospital last week to see how one of their latest projects is developing. 

Supported by funding from South Oxfordshire District Council, administered through Oxford Health Charity, the garden space outside the Out of Hours hospital side entrance is in the process of being transformed into a welcoming and restful environment for patients, visitors and staff to enjoy. A ‘sister’ garden is also being created at Didcot Library.

 

Building upon the success of last year’s ‘Didcot’s Brilliant’ project – through which meaningful links and relationships were formed between a range of community groups and Didcot Community Hospital patients – the Didcot Hospital Garden project has been providing older adults with the opportunity to co-create a high-quality art installation alongside local professional artist, Dionne Freeman, and community groups such as The Abingdon Bridge.

   

At the time of our visit, the first colourful feature posts, bird boxes, bug hotels and wall art were being installed around the raised wooden planters and seating area, alongside striking pieces of tree trunk artwork.

 

The input of older adults remains central to all aspects of the garden design, from planning through to creation and evaluation, with the shared experience of hospital workshops acting as the ideal setting for facilitating trust and conversation between staff, visitors and patients. Opportunities for patients to connect with local groups external to the hospital have also enabled visitors and staff to become more aware of local events, activities and groups.

The Charity team look forward to returning to Didcot Community Hospital in April 2025 to see the finished garden design and to hear how the enhanced outdoor environment is being received by hospital patients, visitors and staff.

Last week’s visit also coincided with artist, Dionne Freeman’s, last day as an Artist-in-Residence (AiR) for the Oxford Health Arts Partnership (OHAP). 

Dionne has led numerous arts sessions on Oxford Health's community hospital wards since becoming an OHAP AiR, including last year’s hugely successful ‘Didcot’s Brilliant’ project. Her Thursday morning art sessions at Didcot Community Hospital have been very popular over the last two years, resulting in a significant, positive impact on all service users, staff and volunteers who’ve attended them.

During her last session, some patients, staff and volunteers shared their thoughts about Dionne and her art groups:

As Dionne's last art session drew to a close, she also reflected on her time at Didcot Community Hospital:

“I’ve loved working here, it’s been special. It’s a really special place and I’ll miss it a lot.”

The Oxford Health Arts Partnership and Oxford Health Charity teams wish Dionne well in her new role at Didcot Garden Town and look forward to the possibility of future collaborations on projects around the Didcot Community Hospital site.

To help us support more arts-focused projects across Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, please consider making a donation to our Arts in Healthcare Appeal.

If you would be interested in undertaking a fundraising challenge, we would also love to hear from you: [email protected].