Patient sessions at the Eden Project Therapy Garden made possible thanks to The Cove Fund of Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity
Thanks to a collaboration between the Eden Project Therapy Garden and The Cove Support Centre at Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, cancer patients in Cornwall are being offered the opportunity to take part in gentle, outdoor therapeutic sessions. The initiative, funded by the Cove Fund of Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity, has become a surprising source of strength and solace for those living with or recovering from cancer, providing patients with a relaxing, tranquil space to breathe, to grow, and to connect.
“We wanted to do some outside work sessions,” explains Nicky Lampshire, Centre Manager at The Cove. “We knew being outdoors, especially in a place as beautiful as the Eden Project, would be something physically, mentally, and emotionally beneficial for our patients. We contacted the team at Eden to see if we could do some work with them, and very kindly, they were only too happy to get involved.”
The idea was simple: combine Eden’s existing garden spaces and nature-based activities with The Cove’s commitment to holistic patient care. With support from The Cove Fund, the sessions were quickly up and running. Patients are now invited to join in with activities like planting, harvesting, mindfulness walks, and even preparing lunch with freshly picked produce.
“People like the idea of the ‘walk and talk’ sessions”, Nicky adds. “So, we do a lot of work with walking groups. We’ve also joined with ‘5K Your Way’, so we have running and jogging groups as well. But we found that being outside and just having something to focus on, like planting, replanting seedlings, or just looking at different colours in the garden, or picking vegetables to make lunch, really helps to focus the mind.”
For many participants, the experience has been transformative. Julia Perkins, Outreach Support Officer for the Cove, regularly attends the sessions and has witnessed the benefits firsthand.
“There’s just something about being outside that changes the atmosphere completely,” Julia says. “It’s calm. There’s no pressure. People don’t have to talk if they don’t want to; they can just sit and take it all in. That alone time can be deeply therapeutic.”
What makes these sessions different from more traditional support groups, Julia explains, is the shift in focus. “When you’re indoors, sitting around a table, it can feel like there’s an expectation to open up. Outdoors, that pressure disappears. People relax. They get involved at their own pace. And often, without even realising it, they start to talk.”
Julia recalls one particularly quiet patient who had rarely engaged in group settings before. “They came along and completely surprised me, chatting, laughing, getting involved in the planting. It was like the environment permitted them to just be themselves again.”
The sessions take place in all weather. “Even on rainy or cold days, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Nicky. “Eden has covered spaces and polytunnels, so we adapt depending on the conditions. But no one minds the rain. Being there is the important part.”
Participants have described the sessions as a welcome escape. Some are now taking part in longer, three-day programmes, and all express a desire to return.
“For many, it’s about more than gardening,” Julia adds. “It’s about connection with nature, with others, even with themselves. It’s a chance to rediscover joy, even in the middle of something as difficult as cancer.”
None of this would be possible without The Cove Fund, which relies entirely on generous community donations from individuals, families, and local fundraisers. The fund not only supports these outdoor sessions, but also covers services like Reiki therapy, Pilates, yoga, Tai Chi, and more.
“People are incredibly generous,” says Nicky. “Often, they’ve used the Cove themselves or know someone who has. Once they understand that these kinds of programmes are made possible by donations, they want to give back. Their kind support makes all of this possible.”
Anyone wishing to support The Cove Fund can find out more here https://charity.royalcornwallhospitals.nhs.uk/about-us/funds/the-cove/