The NHS Lanarkshire Green Health Partnership (LGHP) was gifted several special Catherine’s Roses from NHS Charities Together. Through the joint royal patronage of Her Royal Highness, the Princess of Wales, these were planted within the existing greenspace at Kirklands Head Quarters and will bloom into beautiful roses in the spring.
NHS Charities Together sent three rose plants to various partners they have supported to bring their outdoor areas to life. Each blossomed rose will enhance the green spaces created through the Greener Communities Fund, which helps NHS staff, patients, and local communities benefit from time in nature.
The Catherine’s Rose was named by the Royal Horticultural Society in honour of The Princess of Wales, celebrating the power of nature and the importance of spending time outdoors in supporting mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing – values that are at the heart of the Greener Communities initiative.
As part of the LGHP, Clydesdale Community Initiatives (CCI) and their dedicated community volunteers, alongside members of the Learning Disability Service Occupational Therapy Team and NHS Lanarkshire’s very own Catherine; Catherine Oates Administration Team Leader – Primary Care, planted these roses together.
Vicki Trim, Health Improvement Lead – University Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire, said: “We thought it was wonderfully fitting to ask one of our own Catherine’s in NHS Lanarkshire to help us plant the Catherine’s Roses we received from NHS Charities Together.
“We’ve been fortunate to work with NHS Charities Together over the years to secure funding for a range of green spaces across NHS Lanarkshire, all designed to benefit our staff, patients, and the wider community.
“Seeing these roses take root in one of our gardens will be a truly special addition – a lasting symbol of healing, inspiration, and the joy that nature can bring.”
Ruth McElhinney, Community Development Manager at CCI, added: “We were excited to be part of this wonderful initiative.
“Our team of volunteers visit the Kirklands site every week, where we nurture the garden space so it stays in good condition. Especially as this is used frequently by those supported by the Learning Disability Service Occupational Therapy Team, as well as NHS staff.
“We hope that the Catherine’s Roses will thrive and continue to bring beauty, peace, and wellbeing to all who visit these green spaces.”
Catherine Oates, Administration Team Leader – Primary Care, commented: “It was such an unexpected but lovely request to be asked to help plant the Catherine’s roses because I share the same name.
“It was great to meet the team at CCI, who showed me how to plant a rose properly.
“I’m looking forward to seeing them bloom in the spring.”
NHS Charities Together’s Greener Communities Fund helps people stay well by providing NHS staff, patients and communities with more opportunities to spend time in green spaces.
