IN the ten years since it first opened its doors, the gardens at Acorns Children's Hospice has provided a restorative and relaxed environment for the children, families and staff.

But a decade of use has left it in need of attention and the hospice hopes support will blossom for its £50,000 Helping the Garden Grow campaign to upgrade and maintain the gardens.

The gardens at the hospice on Bath Road, Worcester, are an integral part of the service Acorns provides.

Children take part in gardening activities including planting and games designed to improve their emotional and physical health.

Debbie Head provides horticultural therapy at the hospice after spending 23 years in the NHS as a nurse.

The 53-year-old, from Fladbury, decided to take her career on a different path and has been at the hospice for four years as a health care assistant while studying for a diploma in social and horticultural therapy.

She said: “At Worcester, we are real trailblazers.

"When I started work in this area, there were no other children’s hospices in the country providing horticultural therapy.

“Research shows how being outdoors is big factor in improving wellbeing.

From a cognitive point of view, a lot of our activities are about counting, recalling, listening and understanding.

"You see children light-up, come out of their shells and gain a real sense of achievement from what they do.

"There is also the physical element, helping children take part in light exercise which improves motor skills and hand dexterity.

"Everything from trowels to watering cans are specially designed to enable children who may not be as physically able as others to join in."

It is not just the children cared for by Acorns which benefit from the sessions in the garden but also parents and siblings.

“The children and groups we work with have the opportunity to contribute to the garden and see the natural progress of the seeds and greenery they plant.

"Part of the work with groups such as siblings is helping individuals see that things grow but things also die.

"It’s about acceptance and helping people come to terms with what they’re going through but also letting people take part in something which allows them to express themselves in a comfortable, safe environment."

To support the Helping the Garden Grow campaign, log on to acorns.org.uk.