GBGH celebrates therapeutic garden opening

Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) recently opened its Therapeutic Garden at the hospital’s Midland site. The garden is located off the 1 North Complex Continuing Care and Rehabilitation unit of the hospital and serves as a quiet place for patients and family to enjoy, as well as provides a venue for recreation therapy. Celebrating the opening are (back row from left) Gail Hunt, president and CEO, GBGH; Karen Roberts, president, GBGH Volunteer Association; (front row from left) GBGH patient Thelma Coutts; and Crystal Handy, recreation therapist, GBGH.

July 20, 2018 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) officially opened a new therapeutic garden for patients, families, and staff after years of planning and hard work. Members of the community, volunteers, and GBGH’s team gathered to celebrate this new outdoor garden for healing and hope at the hospital’s Midland site.

“Over the years that I’ve worked at GBGH, I have witnessed countless times the positive change that connecting with nature has on patients,” says Crystal Handy, recreation therapist, GBGH. “Patients who have been withdrawn suddenly find hope and positivity when engaged in gardening activities. That motivation is what we wish to extend to others through opening the garden.”

After three years of planning and rallying community support for the project and extensive help from our volunteers, it has finally concluded with new garden space, patio, furniture, water feature and fencing. The therapeutic garden is located off the 1 North Complex Continuing Care and Rehabilitation wing of the hospital. Designed to give patients a change from the institutional feeling hospitals often have, this unique space serves as a quiet place for patients and family to enjoy, as well as provides a venue for recreation therapy.

“It has been a while in the making, but we’re now very happy to see the project complete,” says Karen Roberts, president, GBGH Volunteer Association. “The volunteers at the hospital, along with so many other people played an integral role in bringing this idea to life. From fundraising to assembly, the project would not have been possible without their support. Now we’re so proud to open up the therapeutic garden and celebrate the peaceful atmosphere that has been created because of their support.”

Supporters and donors of the therapeutic garden include the GBGH Volunteer Association, Hardship Acres Landscaping Inc, Pat Lalonde Fencing, Penetang Sand and Gravel, Brampton Brick, Elmvale Home Hardware, Asselin Insurance Brokers and Huronia Community Foundation*.

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Contact:
Jennifer Moore
Communications Officer, GBGH
705-526-1300 ext 5177
MooreJen@gbgh.on.ca

About GBGH:
Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is a 105-bed acute care community hospital located in Midland, Ontario. The hospital offers emergency, ambulatory, acute, intensive and complex continuing care, as well as imaging, dialysis, obstetrical and rehabilitation services. GBGH serves the areas of Midland, Penetanguishene, Christian Island as well as Tay, Tiny, Springwater and Georgian Bay Townships.

* Huronia Community Foundation
GBGH gratefully acknowledges the financial support of Huronai Community Foundation, which is a public foundation serving the people of Huronia. The Foundation builds permanently endowed charitable funds for the changing need and opportunities of the community and provides grants to eligible charitable organizations in arts and culture, education, health, environment, sports & recreation and social services sectors.”