Award winning Chelsea Flower Show garden arrives in Rotherham
Asthma + Lung UK’s Breathing Space Garden has completed a 160mile journey up north from London to Rotherham following the end of the 2026 RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
In Rotherham, the garden will find a lasting, namesake home at BreathingSpace: a specialist site that cares for NHS patients with respiratory conditions.
The Asthma + Lung UK Breathing Space garden was a hit with judges at the world-famous flower show, which ran from Monday 19 May to Friday 23 May. It was awarded a silver medal overall and was commended in the ‘Environmental Innovation’ award category for using innovative, sustainable and low carbon materials and practices.
Work to plant the garden at BreathingSpace began over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend and will continue
over the coming weeks. It will be supported by volunteers from partner organisations and the local community, with Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity helping to coordinate volunteer support and contributing additional funding towards the garden’s relocation.
Once complete, the garden will be looked after by volunteers, including BreathingSpace patients.
The Asthma + Lung UK Breathing Space Garden was sponsored by Project Giving Back and supported to relocate to BreathingSpace by E.ON, NHS Charities Together, Project Giving Back and many more.
Bob Kirton, Managing Director for The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust said:
“The Asthma + Lung UK Breathing Space garden is really starting to take shape now in its lasting home at BreathingSpace.
“It’s taken hard work from different teams both on the ground and behind
the scenes to pull things together. I really want to say thank you to all those that have played a part so far and all those that have volunteered to look after it in the future. Your efforts have been really important in creating something great for your local NHS Trust and ensuring it has a positive legacy.”
Jess Dhariwal, Plant Manager at E.ON’s Blackburn Meadows renewable energy plant, said: “We’re delighted to be part of this project and proud to be helping give new life to this wonderful garden. As a renewable energy plant, sustainability is at the heart of what we do, and supporting local communities is incredibly important to us. So, it’s especially meaningful to see this garden begin a new chapter in Rotherham, providing a calm ‘breathing space’ for people to rehabilitate and connect with nature.”
Ellie Orton OBE, NHS Charities Together CEO, said: “At NHS Charities Together, we know that access to nature and
green spaces can play an important role in supporting wellbeing. We’re proud to support the Asthma + Lung UK Breathing Space Garden as it finds its permanent home in Rotherham, creating a lasting space for people living with respiratory conditions and a positive legacy for the local community.”
Rachael Dawes, Head of Charity and Engagement for Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity, said:
“This is a once in a lifetime wonderful opportunity. The world class garden will transform the site at Breathing Space into a peaceful, beautifully designed sanctuary for patients living with lung conditions and our fabulous colleagues.”
The garden will be formally opened at an event later this year on Wednesday 16 September.
Community X-ray team celebrates 100th patient page 7 Celebrating colleagues at the Trust’s Proud Awards Hospital at Home team support after fall page 7
I am delighted that we have recently opened a new sexual health clinic, providing modern, accessible care in a welcoming environment next to the hospital’s main entrance. We have also recently introduced robotic-assisted surgery, which assists surgeons allowing greater precision and control, and offers benefits including smaller incisions, reduced pain and a quicker recovery compared to traditional surgery. We are also making significant progress on a new inpatient unit for haematology patients, which will ensure people receive specialist care in a setting designed around their needs. In addition, work has started on our new fracture clinic which will help us streamline care, reduce waiting times and
A message from Richard Jenkins, Chief Executive
improve the overall experience for our patients.
While investment in the hospital remains important, we are also looking beyond our walls. The NHS 10 Year Plan sets out a clear ambition to move more care closer to home, and this is something we are already delivering in Rotherham. Our Hospital at Home team continues to expand its service, supporting people to receive high-quality, hospital-level care in the comfort of their own homes, avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions. Similarly, our community X-ray service is improving access to diagnostic tests for care home residents, making it quicker and easier for patients to get the tests they need.
These developments are all part of a shared focus - ensuring our services are modern, accessible and centred around the needs of our patients. As always, I would like to thank our colleagues for their continued hard work and our local community for their ongoing support.
At the same time, we are maintaining a strong focus on how we use our resources. Careful, responsible financial management is essential to ensure our services remain sustainable and that we can continue to invest where we need
to, better meeting the needs of the local population while improving patient care and experience, alongside making the Trust a better place to work.
Dr Richard Jenkins Chief Executive
A message from our Chair, Dr Mike Richmond
As we move into the summer months, I want to take a moment to reflect on some of the achievements of our colleagues across the Trust and to thank colleagues for the commitment and care they show every day.
I am delighted to welcome three newly elected public governors following the
recent governor elections, alongside five governors who were re-elected. It is encouraging to see people from our local community stepping forward to represent local voices, alongside our staff governors representing the voice of our workforce, and play an active role in helping to shape the future of our services
We have had much to celebrate over recent weeks. Our apprentices have once again demonstrated their talent and ambition, achieving well deserved success at regional and national award events. We pride ourselves on being a key employer in Rotherham, and investing in the skills and knowledge of our colleagues is vital in helping to attract and retain staff to provide care to our patients, and keep the wheels turning behind the scenes, and apprenticeships provide a wealth of opportunities.
Alongside this, we have been shortlisted for two HSJ Patient Safety Awards. This is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the focus our teams place on learning, improvement and patient safety.
On Friday 19 June, we held our 2026 Proud Awards which offered another powerful reminder of what makes the NHS and our Trust so special. Hearing the stories of compassion, teamwork and innovation across hospital and community settings was both humbling and inspiring.
We received 195 nominations from patients, families and members of the public, each telling their own story about how our colleagues and services have made a lasting impression, changing and saving lives. Thank you to everyone who took time to submit a nomination.
None of this would be possible without the extraordinary contributions of our workforce. I remain deeply grateful to
everyone who goes above and beyond to provide high quality care for our patients.
Finally, we are extremely proud to be the custodians of the 2026 Asthma + Lung UK Breathing Space Garden. It has been designed to be low allergen and provide a calm space for our patients living with breathing conditions. The garden won a silver medal at the Chelsea Flower Show and work on its relocation to Breathing Space on Badsley Moor Lane has now been completed. I look forward to seeing the garden establish itself over the coming months, and for our patients to spend time in its tranquil surroundings.
Dr Mike Richmond Chairman
Celebrating the achievements of our colleagues at the 2026 Proud Awards
Colleagues from across the Trust’s hospital and community services gathered at Magna on Friday 19 June for the annual Proud Awards, with nearly 400 people in attendance.
to our sponsors
We would like to thank the kindness and generosity of our 2026 Proud Award sponsors. Their contributions helped to make the evening extra special for our colleagues.
Long service awards
As part of the award ceremony, a number of colleagues were recognised for reaching 40 years of service for the NHS. The Trust’s Chair, Dr Mike Richmond, and Chief Executive, Dr Richard Jenkins, presented long service badges, certificates and thank you cards, along with passing on their congratulations and thanks on behalf of the Board of Directors.
• Karen Clithero
• Ann Kerrane
• Lesley Matthews
• Julie Mitchell
• Kathryn Wortley
Making Rotherham Proud!
The awards, hosted by Hits Radio presenter Stephanie Hirst, provided the opportunity to hear about the fantastic work taking place across Rotherham every single day, recognising dedicated NHS colleagues delivering patient care and keeping NHS services running behind the scenes.
This year, 624 nominations were received across the award categories, including 195 from patients, their families and members of the public. Each nomination sharing stories of how a person or team has had a lasting impact on patients, families and colleagues.
Volunteer of the Year
Helen Ward
Meet and Greet Volunteer
Awarded in recognition of her desire to always help others. Helen is a polite, conscientious, reliable volunteer and a credit to the hospital.
Education Award
Sarah Knowles
Awarded in recognition of how Sarah has transformed the way she supports patients, following the completion of a Health Coaching qualification.
Inclusion and Inequalities Award
Alex Meakin
Therapy Services
Awarded in recognition of creating a community through the Thrive staff network where colleagues can break down barriers and speak up about issues.
Unsung Hero Award
Charlotte Lyons
Awarded in recognition of taking on a second role in addition to her own role and being instrumental in the Trust recording a new level of sign off compliance for job planning.
40 Years Service Award
The Rotherham NHSFoundationTrust
Non-Clinical Team of the Year Award
Central Discharge Team
Awarded in recognition of stepping into the most complex and pressured areas of patient flow, filling gaps, supporting increased demand, and ensuring that discharges happen safely and efficiently.
Inspiring Leader Award
Sophia Frost
Awarded in recognition of leading the transformation of the acute and community diabetes teams into a unified, forward-thinking service that is making a significant difference to patient care in Rotherham.
Clinical Team of the Year
Ward A1
Awarded in recognition of consistently demonstrating gold standards, organisation, efficiency, a positive environment and excellent patient care.
Governors’ Award for Living the Values
Julia Wing
Awarded in recognition of the way she demonstrates her commitment to the premature community in Rotherham and how it goes beyond her usual duties.
Partnership Award
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Awarded in recognition of outstanding partnership work between the Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) service and Places
Leisure, supported by the Integrated Care Board (ICB), senior leadership, IT and governance teams. Together, this partnership has addressed a long standing gap in the PR pathway by creating a sustainable and equitable route into community-based exercise for patients completing pulmonary rehabilitation.
Public Recognition Award
Ms Nike Bika
Awarded in recognition of the extraordinary support she provided to parents following the loss of their baby.
Chief Executive’s Award
Maysoon Shafiq, Lead Chaplain
Awarded in recognition of their continued contribution to chaplaincy and hard work to build relationships with the local Muslim community.
Chair’s Award
Lauren Hugill
B10 Ward Manager
Awarded in recognition of her dedication to continually improving patient experience, and leading her team on Ward B10 to achieve the Trust’s first Gold accreditation.
Community X-ray team celebrates 100th patient milestone
Since launching in spring 2025, the team has carried out 120 X-rays. Terry, who became the service’s 100th patient, has used it twice.
The service helps care home residents get an X-ray without having to travel to hospital for problems that do not need emergency treatment.
For Terry, who prefers being at home, going to hospital appointments could be difficult to organise.
“When I’ve had to go in the past, a nurse arranged the transport,” Terry said. “I don’t like waiting in hospitals. You have to take your turn, and you can be there nearly all day.”
When a nurse visiting the care home said Terry needed an X-ray, the community X-ray team was able to do it in his room instead of him travelling to Rotherham Hospital.
“Two young ladies came to my bedroom, set up the equipment by my chair, and took the
X-rays,” Terry recalled. “They were able to see the image straight away.”
Lisa Carpenter, manager of the care home where Terry lives, said hospital visits can be unsettling for some residents, especially those living with mobility issues who find it difficult to get around.
“We see first-hand how unsettling a hospital visit can be for some residents,”
Lisa said. “Being able to have an X-ray done here means they can be assessed in a place where they feel safe and supported.”
Terry said he would reassure other residents who may feel unsure about having the X-ray in their room.
“The people that come are quite good. They make you feel comfortable. I’d just tell anyone else to relax and let them take the lead.”
Mrs Susan Douglas, Acting Medical Director at The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Reaching 120 patients shows how valuable this service has become for care home residents. It means people can get the care they need more quickly, in familiar surroundings, without having to travel to hospital.”
The community X-ray service operates Monday to Friday with eligible patients referred to the service by a healthcare practitioner.
Hospital at Home team supports resident after fall
A Rotherham resident received prompt care at home after the Trust’s Hospital at Home service was asked to provide support following a fall outside her home.
After the incident, Mavis Reed’s daughter called 999 for help, and Mavis was later supported at home through an agreed process with Yorkshire Ambulance Service.
Through an agreed process with Yorkshire Ambulance Service, it was identified that Mavis’s needs could be safely assessed at home, allowing the Hospital at Home team to respond.
The request was picked up, and two community nurses went to see Mavis and help her off the ground. They used
specialist lifting equipment, assessed her injuries, and treated her wounds.
Mavis suffered a significant dental injury, so the team arranged a direct referral to the Trust’s dental and facial injury team. Her daughter took her to the appointment, and she was treated and back home later that day.
Mavis said:
“It was a frightening experience, but the two nurses were smashing. They made a bad situation a lot easier, got me up safely, and completely looked after me. The team made me feel safe and supported.”
Launched in December 2022, the Hospital at Home service provides urgent nursing and therapy care for some adults whose needs are not life-threatening and who can be safely treated at home following assessment or referral. To be eligible, patients must live in Rotherham and be registered with a Rotherham GP.
The service can support up to 100 patients in the community at any one time. The team can assess, treat and, where needed, arrange onward referral to other services.
Helen Dobson, Chief Nurse, said: “I want to thank the Hospital at Home team and our colleagues at Yorkshire Ambulance Service for the care they gave Mavis after her fall.
This is a good example of how services can work together to help some patients receive timely care closer to home when it is safe and appropriate, while making sure hospital treatment is arranged when needed.”
NHS charity marks 30 years of supporting patients with special anniversary event
PARTY PARTY
Join us to celebrate our charity’s 30th Birthday with a delicious afternoon tea followed by a charity fashion show, with outfits available to purchase.
shion
Saturday 4 July 2026 Tickets £25 3 30pm arrival
Raising funds for your local NHS Charity’s Dementia Appeal
Sitwell Golf Club, Sitwell, Rotherham