Ysgol y Graig children visit the memorial garden at Prince Charles Hospital

Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTM UHB) enjoyed a fantastic morning with children from Ysgol y Graig to Prince Charles Hospital last week as part of National Children’s Gardening Week.

Year 2 children Luna, Scarlett and Mia visited our heart shaped Covid memorial Garden at Prince Charles Hospital and planted yellow flowers, fitting with the garden’s Covid theme. 

During their visit, the children got to ask lots of questions about the memorial garden, as well as having a fun game of ‘health bingo’ which supported their learning on healthy eating.

This event is part of a calendar of events that CTM UHB organise in partnership with Tilbury Douglas Construction,  our main contractors for the Prince Charles Hospital refurbishment programme.

Kelly Edwards, Social Value Manager for Tilbury Douglas said: “It was lovely to welcome the children to Prince Charles Hospital to involve them in the project at the centre of their local community.  We have been working closely with Ysgol y Graig over the last 18 months and have developed a great partnership.  Encouraging the next generation of construction workers is an essential part of our Community Benefits programme,  and combining that with health education is resulting in inspiring conversations with the children and young people of Merthyr Tydfil.”

Mrs Delyth Goodall, who accompanied the children from Ysgol y Graig to the Hospital added: “By involving our children in the maintaining of the memorial garden it enabled them to see first-hand how their help can make a difference to the lives of those living in our community. They were able to make a connection to the importance of working together and develop their own social skills.  They were given the opportunity to learn new skills, develop the knowledge they already have and show inquisitiveness.”

The children were delighted to have taken part in the project, Six year old Luna said: “I had a brilliant time planting all the yellow flowers and winning a bingo prize. We had fun learning about keeping healthy.  I'm going to take my Mam and Dad to the hospital to see the heart garden.”

Seven year old Scarlett said: “ We are lucky to be chosen to help plant the garden.  I hope our sunflowers grow as tall as the trees and families enjoy sitting in the garden. I enjoyed helping Bridie, Kelly and Sharon.”

Seven year old Mia Said: “Thank you for letting me help plant the flowers.  I would really like to come back to help again soon.”

Delyth added: “Thank you again for providing us with a lovely experience.”

Our garden is available to anyone who would like to visit, or perhaps plant a flower in memory of a loved one. It is situated to the right of the main entrance to the Hospital. If you’d like to visit you can just pop along.

19/06/2023