Chelsea show garden to raise Parkinson’s awareness
A new garden inspired by people living with Parkinson’s disease is set to be installed at a major hospital, following its participation in the Chelsea Flower Show.
It has been designed by award-winning gardener and broadcaster Arit Anderson, whose sister lives with the debilitating condition.
Paul Jackson-Clark, from Parkinson’s UK, said the display was a “massive opportunity” to spread awareness of the condition and its “lesser-known symptoms”.
Following its time at the annual flower show this year, the garden will be relocated to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital, a world-leading centre for research and treatment of Parkinson’s.
The display, called A Garden for Every Parkinson’s Journey, has been created by Anderson in cooperation with gardeners living with the disease and their loved ones.
“The garden has been designed to both adapt to the physicality and the other aspects of symptomatic Parkinson’s, but also [allow people to enjoy] the health benefits of being out outside,” Jackson-Clarke said.
“Keeping active is so key, and that’s particularly good for a condition like Parkinson’s.”
Anderson said she was “excited to take on the challenge” of creating “something meaningful that will make a lasting difference to those affected by Parkinson’s”.
She said the disease affects “my family like many others”, adding that despite a “growing number of diagnoses each year, it remains widely misunderstood”.
“I hope this garden deepens understanding and demonstrates the power of gardens and gardening to comfort, restore and empower,” the gardener added.
Parkinson’s UK will maintain the garden at the hospital “as a legacy long into the future”, Jackson-Clarke said.
“We’re very, very excited about taking it to the John Radcliffe,” he added.
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