A stroke patient is sharing her experience of using a hospital’s therapy garden to aid in her recovery.
73-year-old Isobel Stefaniuk, from Yarm, was admitted as a patient to the University Hospital of North Tees after experiencing a stroke. Part of her recovery involved the use of the hospital’s ‘Kaleidostroke’ therapy garden.
With walking rehabilitation facilities, specialist equipment for building muscle, cognitive learning activities and more, the garden supports stroke, dementia and elderly patients as part of their hospital care. It aims to improve patient rehabilitation, provides holistic therapy and allows patients to regain their independence.
“A deeply emotional moment”
When asked about her first time using the garden, Isobel described it as a ‘deeply emotional moment’.
She continued: “Following my stroke I’d been stuck indoors, and just being outside again really hit me. It gave me a sense of calm and hope.
“It was so peaceful and private – completely away from the hustle and bustle of the hospital.
“I could see how it might help others with physio in the fresh air. It really makes a difference being outside.”
The project was driven by Chris Lawson, retired specialised therapy assistant at North Tees. It has been designed to actively engage patients in therapy sessions, including speech and language, physiotherapy and psychology.
It also boasts rest and relaxation areas so that patients can enjoy time away from the clinical ward with their visitors.
A lover of nature, Isobel was able to celebrate her birthday in the garden as an inpatient, inviting her husband and daughter to join her.
Isobel said: “It was lovely to have a space where we could just sit and talk. It gave me a bit of freedom – something you miss in hospital.
“It inspired me to get home, and to be back in my own garden.”
Isobel is still currently on her road to recovery, undertaking physiotherapy exercises to regain full mobility in one of her arms. However, she is back singing with her community choir and has been enjoying the recent bout of warm weather in her garden back at home.
Funding the garden
The £150,000 Kaleidostroke therapy garden opened in summer 2024. It has since been widely used by inpatients at the University Hospital of North Tees.
The garden was funded through the Greener Communities Fund after a successful bid from the hospital’s charity, North Tees and Hartlepool Together. The fund is a partnership between NHS Charities Together and environmental charity Hubbub, funded by the Starbucks 5p cup charge.
Suzi Campbell, fundraising coordinator for North Tees and Hartlepool Together, said: “Thanks to funding from the NHS Charities Together Greener Communities Fund, the therapy garden continues to make a meaningful impact to patients like Isobel. It offers not just space, but solace and strength whilst on their own personal recovery journeys.
“I’d also like to say a huge thank you to Tangent Construction who completed the construction work. They really brought the garden to life for our patients and staff.”