Conquest 21
Conquest 21 is a project to restore and reinvigorate the 21 Courtyards of Conquest Hospital.
The hospital was originally designed around 21 courtyards as it is believed that open spaces, nature and fresh air help with patient recovery and improve the morale and energy of the medical staff working there. The design of Conquest Hospital was enlightened for its time and proved very popular. Sadly, over the decades, due to funding constraints the courtyards were slowly left unattended and gradually fell into disuse. Many are now completely closed.
The project was started by the Kowitz Family Foundation of Fairlight Hall who have restored the first courtyard and started on a second. We’ve also attracted a number of local professional garden designers who have offered complimentary designs.
We do need funding, for gardening tools for the volunteers, for plants and materials and for some of the bigger courtyards building materials. If you would like to support us you can donate in general to the project or select a specific garden or part of a garden. We will do our best to accommodate “in memoriam” gifts too. Organisations may wish to take on or adopt a complete garden and we can discuss sponsorship and naming rights possibilities.
Refurbishment Progress
We have now completed a number of the courtyards including The Pineapple Garden, the Special Care Baby Unit, Murray Ward Courtyard, Richard Ticehurst Surgical Unit Courtyard and the Endoscopy Unit Courtyard.
We have some amazing designs in development for many more, including:
- Restoring the raised borders and replacing the worn out seating in the Winter Courtyard.
- A very special project for the Children’s A&E Courtyard.
- Assisting with the development of a new therapy project at The Haven at St Anne’s.
- And more…
“Thank you, our SCBU garden looks amazing xxx.”
Sonya
Ongoing Maintenance
Like all gardens, our courtyards require regular maintenance. Weeding, pruning, all the things you would expect. The hospital has a small team of employed staff to maintain the whole site, and a small team of committed regular volunteers who provide two sessions per week. But, they urgently need more help.
The Friends are able to organise Corporate Volunteering Days for local businesses, which not only provide essential support help keep the Courtyards neat and tidy, they offer local businesses and members of their staff an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to the local community, to give back, to thank the hospital for the care they or their family members may have received.
“What a brilliant idea thanks to everyone refreshing the courtyards.”
Judy
Basic gardening skills are helpful but not essential as teams are supported by our Courtyard Coordinator and the NHS Grounds Team.
If you would like to be involved, find out more about volunteering or get in touch.