Gloucestershire Managed Services (GMS) is proud to support the opening of the Forget-Me-Not Garden at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, dedicated to families and loved ones affected by baby loss. Designed by our RHS award-winning GMS Grounds Manager Laura Ashton-Phillips, the garden offers a tranquil and reflective space where parents and families can find solace and peace.

The idea for this project originated from the midwives at Gloucestershire Hospitals, who sought to provide a calming place for those grieving the loss of a child. Laura’s thoughtful design was brought to life by the dedicated GMS grounds team, with support from Kier Construction who worked with their supply partners free of charge to help get the green space started. South West business D-Interiors also provided their services free of charge. A special thanks goes to our incredible team of volunteers who generously provided their services and volunteered to assist with the planting and landscaping.

“Our aim was to create a beautiful, comforting environment where families can find quiet moments of reflection,” said Laura, Grounds Manager at GMS. “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed, especially Kier Constructions and their partners, whose generosity and dedication have been instrumental in making this garden a reality.”

The garden was made possible by Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity, with the support of the Forget-Me-Not Parent Bereavement Group, Nikki Dobson, the Maternity Teams, and the unwavering support of our fundraisers.

A unique feature of the garden is the Memory Tree, where parents can dedicate a leaf in memory of their loved one. Each leaf will be displayed on the tree for two years before being gifted back to the family as a treasured keepsake.

Nikki Dobson, Bereavement Specialist Midwife at Gloucestershire Hospitals said, “We had a wonderful commemorative garden at the hospital created after the pandemic, which has become such a place of support for people. We were inspired by this to create a dedicated new garden at the hospital for everyone affected by the loss of a baby.

“It will be somewhere for people to go and remember their babies – where they can sit, reflect, and bring loved ones. The garden will also be a place for hospital staff who may have been affected by baby loss or who have cared for bereaved parents. It will be a space for everyone.”

The new Forget-Me-Not Garden at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital reflects GMS’s commitment to supporting the well-being of the hospital community through thoughtful and compassionate facilities management. It provides a lasting tribute to the memories of those lost too soon and serves as a testament to the strength of community and collaboration.

Watch the video below to learn more: