A Musselburgh-based children's charity is celebrating the sweet smell of success after securing a garden at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show next year.
Teapot Trust, at Stuart House, Eskmills Park, provides art therapy for children and young people with chronic illnesses.
The show garden marks a rare Chelsea appearance for Scottish charities and designers and is made possible by a grant from Project Giving Back which provide funding for good causes at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
A trust spokesperson said that, following the event next May, Teapot Trust’s Elsewhere Garden will be permanently relocated to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow which serves areas of social need, where chronic illness in children is 2.5 times more prevalent. An "inclusive safe space to help overcome barriers to accessing healthcare," it will be used for outdoor art therapy and all patients and visitors will be welcome.
The trust spokesperson explained "One in four children and young people in the UK live with the pain and stigma of chronic health conditions that cause anxiety and depression. Almost a third of those aged under 21 who take their own lives have a long-term chronic illness.
"The charity’s art therapy gives children and young people a release from the burdens of chronic illness allowing them to take some control, to express and process their feelings about their diagnosis, their treatment regime, and the impact of their condition on daily life."
Sarah Randell, from Pencaitland, chief executive of Teapot Trust said: "We are absolutely thrilled to have a show garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show next year. The opportunities this will give Teapot Trust are hugely significant. It’s a platform from which we’ll share the impact of our work and draw more children and families in need to us so they can access our art therapy without barriers or cost.
"Semple Begg has done a fabulous job creating the Elsewhere Garden which perfectly illustrates the release that art therapy gives children, taking their minds to a place of escape."
Ruth Girvan, chair of trustees of Teapot Trust, commented: "My daughter suffers daily physical and mental pain from an invisible chronic condition. The support we had from Teapot Trust to access art therapy helped Neve find ways to understand her condition, her treatment and has enabled her to navigate a world where she faces barriers and stigma often on a daily basis.
"Winning a show garden at RHS Chelsea gives Teapot Trust the opportunity to spread awareness, giving more children and young people like Neve access to transformative art therapy. I can’t wait to experience Teapot Trust’s Elsewhere Garden and see how Neve’s experiences have been creatively imagined."
Susan Begg, of garden designers Semple Begg, said: "Teapot Trust Elsewhere Garden represents a child’s imagination as it blossoms in response to the freedom gifted by art therapy. Through this escape into art, children find coping strategies to deal with life."
Nicola Semple, fom Semple Begg, added: "For inspiration we looked to Willy Wonka's factory, to Oz and Wonderland. Where colour is vivid and exuberant, shape and form are exaggerated. And, where the inner world of a child's anxiety is expressed as an outer wonderland."
Professor Tom Steele, director of estates and facilities for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: "We are delighted to be receiving this unique garden space which I am sure will have an instant benefit for our patients, families and staff."
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