Children and families at Hope House Children's Hospice in Oswestry now have access to a newly designed courtyard featuring a range of sensory and outdoor elements.

The courtyard includes a fish pond with goldfish and koi carp, a pergola, a media wall, atmospheric lighting and an abundance of new plants and trees.

Esme Turner, therapies manager at Hope House, shared her excitement about the new space.

She said: "The courtyard is now an incredible place to read a story, make music, explore nature; or a place to take a minute, listen to music, to gather or for families to be alone if they wish."

Ms Turner went on to detail the range of uses of the new courtyard, from outdoor cinema nights to quiet moments spent observing the fish.

She emphasised the importance of accessibility, saying: "The majority of children at Hope House need or use a wheelchair or need assistance to be mobile, so being able to open this fully accessible space for all is fantastic."

In addition to the funding received from trusts and grants, local businesses also helped fund the development of the courtyard.

Contributions included £25,000 from the Severn Trent Community Fund, £15,000 from AICO in Oswestry, and £1,000 from the EG Foundation.

Shrewsbury-based Camlins Landscape Architects carried out the design work free of charge.

Sharing their thoughts on supporting Hope House, Jade Gough, Severn Trent community fund officer, said: "The team at Hope House do an amazing job in supporting families, so it is wonderful to be able to support them with the new courtyard providing a new space to use.

"To see how they have transformed the courtyard is amazing and we hope that it brings peace, tranquillity and a space to be able to connect with nature."

Jane Pritchard, community liaison at AICO, expressed pride in being able to support the project.

She said: "The work that Hope House do to support local children and their families, creating special memories that can be cherished during their time at the hospice is incredible.

"Aico is very proud to be able to help fund special projects such as this, that really will make a difference for many years to come."

Children who visit the hospice for care will be able to access to the specially designed area  (Image: Hope House children’s hospice)

Landscape architect Harry Smart, who led the project for Camlins, described the chance to work with Hope House as a privilege.

He said: "Hope House is a hugely revered organisation, and it has been a privilege for us to be able to play a small part in helping it continue to provide the best possible service for the children and young people in its care.

"The transformation of the space has gone beyond even our own expectations a there is a real satisfaction in knowing that it this is now a garden that will be used and enjoyed for many years to come."

The courtyard was officially opened at the end of August, with all those who contributed invited to a special ceremony.