A new therapeutic garden designed to bring the sights and sounds of nature into the lives of children and families at the James Hopkins Trust in Gloucester officially opened on Friday 2nd October, following its transformation from the award-winning ‘Lifted by Birds’ show garden at this year’s RHS Malvern Spring Festival.
Delivered by Greenfingers Charity and designed by Amie Wheeldon, Jon Pilling and Thomas Cave Saunders, the garden has been thoughtfully recreated as a permanent outdoor space for children with life-limiting conditions, alongside their families and care teams.
Originally created for RHS Malvern Spring Festival in May, ‘Lifted by Birds’ was inspired by the movement, rhythm and quiet beauty of British birdlife. Its new home at James Hopkins Trust brings the concept to life as a lasting therapeutic landscape, combining naturalistic planting, wildlife habitats and sensory elements to create a space for exploration, relaxation and connection with nature.
A garden designed for people- and wildlife
At the heart of the garden is a habitat-led approach to design, creating an environment that actively supports biodiversity from the soil upwards, rather than simply adding wildlife-friendly features as an afterthought.
The garden incorporates food sources, shelter and habitats for insects, birds and other wildlife, creating a living ecosystem that changes and evolves throughout the seasons. Woodland-edge planting, wetland-inspired areas and a rich mix of plants provide opportunities for wildlife to feed, shelter and thrive.
For the children and families using James Hopkins Trust, the garden offers an equally important connection to the natural world, providing opportunities for quiet reflection, sensory exploration, mindfulness and play away from the clinical environment.
Amie Wheeldon, ornithologist and member of the ‘Lifted by Birds’ design team, said:
“Attracting birds isn’t about simply putting up a bird feeder- it’s about creating a garden that supports nature throughout the year, starting with healthy soil and providing opportunities for insects and other invertebrates to thrive. Those foundations then support birds and the wider ecosystem.
“We wanted ‘Lifted by Birds’ to demonstrate how habitat-led design can work beautifully for both wildlife and people. At James Hopkins Trust, the garden now has a very special purpose, giving children and families the opportunity to experience nature, while creating a genuinely valuable habitat for birds and other wildlife.”
How to create a garden that attracts birds
The ‘Lifted by Birds’ garden also demonstrates that creating a bird-friendly garden doesn’t have to mean sacrificing beauty or usability. Instead, simple changes can help gardens become richer habitats for wildlife.
1. Start with the soil and food chain
Healthy soil supports insects and other invertebrates, which in turn provide an important food source for birds. Planting a variety of flowering plants that offer food at different times of year can help support wildlife throughout the seasons.
2. Leave seed heads standing
Rather than cutting everything back at the end of the growing season, leaving seed heads and rose hips in place can provide valuable food for seed-eating birds. Ivy is particularly beneficial, offering both food and shelter.
3. Make space for insects
Log piles, drystone walls, raised beds and areas of garden waste can all provide valuable habitats for insects and invertebrates. These features don't have to look untidy – they can be incorporated naturally into a garden's design while creating an important source of food for birds.
4. Provide water
Birds need water for drinking and bathing, particularly during periods of dry weather. Ponds and other water sources can also support insects and other invertebrates, helping to strengthen the wider food chain.
From show garden to lasting legacy
The transformation of ‘Lifted by Birds’ reflects Greenfingers Charity’s commitment to ensuring show gardens can have a meaningful life beyond the exhibition ground.
Rather than dismantling the garden permanently after RHS Malvern, Greenfingers worked with the design team and James Hopkins Trust to carefully relocate and reimagine the garden for its new setting.
The result is a permanent outdoor sanctuary that retains the spirit of the original show garden while responding to the needs of the children and families who will use it.
Boyd Douglas-Davies, Chairman of Greenfingers Charity, said:
‘Lifted by Birds’ demonstrates exactly why we believe gardens can make such a difference to children and families. What began as a Gold medal-winning show garden at RHS Malvern has now found a permanent home at The James Hopkins Trust, creating a magical space where children and families can enjoy nature, find moments of calm and spend precious time together.
“We’re particularly delighted that wildlife is at the heart of the garden, creating a space that feels alive and encourages children to explore and connect with nature. We hope ‘Lifted by Birds’ - designed for nature, loved by people - will bring joy, comfort and wonderful memories to families for many years to come.”
Ann Price Trust Director of James Hopkins comments: We were so honoured to have been chosen by Greenfingers to be the recipient of the ‘Lifted by Birds’ show garden. We had been talking to Neil (Greenfingers Operations Director) about the development of our back garden and when this opportunity came our way we were absolutely thrilled, even more so once we had the opportunity to see the garden in its full glory at the Malvern Show.
The team at James Hopkins Trust have loved working with the Neil and the design team, who have done such an incredible job at reimagining the garden into the space available at Kites Corner.
To see it take shape has been wonderful and we are so excited to be able to officially open our new wildlife garden to our children and their families. It’s such a peaceful space with so much interest, we can’t wait to see how it develops over the coming years, and can’t thank you all enough for providing us with this truly special space.
Greenfingers Charity has now created more than 70 therapeutic gardens across the UK, providing children and families with nature-filled spaces away from clinical environments.
The launch of ‘Lifted by Birds’ at James Hopkins Trust marks the latest chapter in Greenfingers’ work to create gardens that deliver lasting benefits for both people and the natural world.
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