Launched at Doncaster Royal Infirmary (DRI) in December 2025, the Palliative and End of Life Care Garden Project brings together health and construction students to create a tranquil, inclusive and sensory-rich outdoor space for patients and their families.
The initiative is a partnership between teams at DBTH, Doncaster College and Integrated Health Projects (IHP), combining clinical insight with technical expertise to deliver a space that reflects compassion, dignity and comfort at one of life’s most important moments.
Dr Kirsty Edmondson-Jones, Director of Infrastructure at DBTH, said: “This End of Life garden project is a powerful example of how local organisations can come together to create significant and lasting change.
“By working in partnership with IHP and Doncaster College, we are creating a calm, compassionate environment that reflects the needs of patients and their families at such an important time.
“We’re extremely proud to be working on this project, knowing that end of life and palliative care affects so many of us through our loved ones.”
During the launch event, students heard from the Trust’s Estates and End of Life Care teams about the challenges faced by patients and families, and why creating a peaceful and private environment is so important.
They also toured the hospital’s existing Rainbow Garden before visiting the proposed new site to understand its specific opportunities and constraints.
Fiona Caddy, Lead Nurse for Specialist Palliative and End of Life Care Services at the Trust, said: “This garden will support many patient groups experiencing life-limiting illness while they are receiving acute treatment or to support them while they receive end of life care.”
Students began developing their designs from early December and will be presenting their final concepts to a judging panel next week.
Along the way, members of the Trust, IHP and Doncaster College have offered guidance to the students in the form of online discussion sessions, site visits and presentation skills workshops.
The winning design will be incorporated into the garden build as part of IHP’s social value programme on site.
Abbie Sturla-Manning, Work Placement Coordinator at Doncaster College, said: “This project perfectly demonstrates the value of employer-led learning and is giving our learners a unique opportunity to work on a real-world brief that has genuine meaning and impact.
“Working with NHS partners and industry professionals has helped them understand the responsibility that comes with designing a space for people at one of the most vulnerable stages of their life. We’re very excited to see how our Construction and Health & Social Care students collaborate to bring this garden to life.”
Students were given a brief of important considerations for the project, including accessibility, designs in line with Green Flag Award standards and comfort for patients.
Following the student’s involvement, IHP will begin construction on the garden, with plans to complete the project in summer 2026.
Phil Worsnip, IHP Project Manager, said: “This project is a fantastic opportunity to give students real-world experience whilst making a meaningful difference for patients and families.
“At IHP, we’re committed to supporting the next generation of talent, which is why construction students have received additional site visits and one-to-one guidance from our team.
“It’s about giving them insight into the practicalities of construction while working collaboratively with health students to create a space that truly meets patient needs.”
If you would like to make a donation towards this project, visit the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) Charity website: https://dbthcharity.co.uk/donate-today/. Alternatively, you can contact the charity team by email dbth.charity@nhs.net or call 01302 648282.