Publish date: 29 November 2023
Run by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health NHS Partnership Trust, The Hope service helps asylum seekers, refugees and victims of trafficking who have experienced trauma and those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The Memorial Garden project will see the creation of a new, multipurpose therapeutic space for service users in Bristol and will provide a peaceful sanctuary, and a place to reflect and remember the loved ones they have lost.
Mary Griggs, Hope Service Psychologist said: “This is a really important and poignant project. We’re working closely with partners such as Bristol Mind, City of Sanctuary, Unseen Bristol City Council and SARI to ensure that the Memorial Garden provides a space of sanctuary within the city.”
“The people we support have often experienced multiple traumas, and this space will provide a legacy to their loved ones while giving them a therapeutic outdoor space to work on taking steps forward in their own recovery.”
Former Mayor of Bristol, George Ferguson said: “It is so heart-warming to be involved with such a great team of Bristol people, all recognising that refugees should be treated with love and understanding and, as an architect, I am particularly impressed with the diverse group of UWE architecture students and their enthusiasm for the project.”
Students at The University of the West of England are taking a leading role in developing a consultation group with service users, to ensure the design of the Garden is built on the ideas of service users.
Working on the design of the garden has started and will hope to see an official opening in spring next year.
