ABIGAILS FOOTSTEPS

Designer: Rick Ford

RHS Award: Silver Medal

This garden was been created on behalf of national bereavement and baby loss charity Abigail’s Footsteps. It was intended to be a calming place where parents and families could sit together and seek contemplation when grieving the loss of a baby. It was proposed that the garden would be replanted for the use of anyone who may need it after the Festival.

The garden was a calming and contemplative space that sought to offer support and comfort to parents that are searching for solace when faced with the monumental loss of their baby.

Designed as a series of interconnected spaces, that reflect the transitions that parents experience, with a tranquil planting palette featuring soft textured and scented plants. The seating area provided privacy and a feeling of enclosure to enable parents to feel at ease when managing their grief.

Raised beds, filled with tactile and fragrant planting sat next to reflection pools to further enhance the feeling of security and calm.

Clipped topiary nestled amongst the planting as well as multi-stemmed birch and specimen multi-stemmed Amelanchier.

The small pavers, representing the small steps that parents initially take, made way to the larger smooth sawn paving, interplanted with soleirolia, representing the gradual acceptance and glimpses of hope for the future.

Abigail’s Footsteps provides bereavement counselling for families and training for midwives and healthcare professionals to support families suffering the devastating impact of baby loss.

For more information about Abigail’s Footsteps see www.abigailsfootsteps.co.uk