Collective effort transforms outdoor space at Fern House

An outdoor space at Fern House in the grounds of Antrim Area Hospital has been transformed thanks to the collective efforts of staff from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust.

Work got underway during the winter when the team embarked on their own version of ‘Grow-vember’, adding shrubs and planting bulbs in the courtyard.

Estates colleagues were on hand to carry out a clean-up and they expertly restored a number of benches before adding them to the area. This month, the final touches were put in place with a special plaque added to one of them in memory of Jackie Millar, a much-loved colleague who worked as a navigator in Laurel House.

Commenting on the initiative, Claire Stewart, the Northern Trust’s Macmillan Personalised Care Facilitator Cancer Services said: “This has been a real team effort and we are delighted with how it has turned out. As we look towards the summer time, and hopefully continued better weather, this outdoor space will make a real difference to our staff, who can enjoy it on their breaks.

“Our Estates team did a fantastic job cleaning up the space and giving a new lease of life to our old benches. It’s even more special that one of them has been dedicated to Jackie, remembering one of her favourite lines ‘it’s time for a fresh air break’, which always brought a smile to everyone’s face.

“We’re also very grateful to Macmillan who supported the project by funding picnic tables which are another welcome addition and local recycling company New Leaf Compost for their donations of compost.”

24th May 2024