Summary

Jacksons' Metal Playtime® RoSPA-approved fencing has created a secure, child-friendly, visually-sympathetic perimeter around the Gathering Heart Garden at Hope House children's hospice in Oswestry.

Context

Hope House Children’s Hospices, which includes Hope House in Oswestry and Ty Gobaith in North Wales, provides specialist care for babies, children and young people with life-threatening conditions. Alongside medical and palliative care, Hope House offers counselling and bereavement support to families across Shropshire, Cheshire and Wales, helping them navigate the most difficult of journeys with compassion and dignity.

Outdoor space plays a vital role in the hospice’s care model. It offers children a chance to experience movement, nature and play in a safe and nurturing environment. For families, it provides a place to connect, reflect and create lasting memories. However, the existing playground at Hope House had become outdated. It lacked sensory stimulation, accessibility and emotional warmth; feeling disconnected from the hospice’s welcoming atmosphere and the needs of the children who use it.

In response, a new vision was born: to create a sensory-rich, inclusive garden that would support play, interaction and peace for children of all abilities. The result is the Gathering Heart Garden; a transformative outdoor space designed to evolve with the seasons and provide life-enhancing moments for years to come.

Solution

The Gathering Heart Garden was made possible by Greenfingers Charity, a national organisation dedicated to creating therapeutic gardens for life-limited children in hospices across the UK. Its support enabled the hospice to reimagine its outdoor space, bringing together a team of expert collaborators to deliver the project with care and creativity.

CW Studio, a Manchester-based landscape architecture practice, led the design. Its brief was to create a garden that would stimulate the senses, encourage movement and offer quiet zones for reflection. The design includes inclusive play equipment such as accessible swings, a slide, musical play posts and a sensory tunnel. Colourful rubber surfacing defines key play areas and provides a safe, durable base for exploration. Planting has been carefully selected to introduce seasonal change, fragrance and texture, with wildflowers and grasses softening the space and inviting gentle engagement.

Landstruction, a Cheshire-based landscaping company, was appointed to deliver the project. Its team began by removing the existing playground equipment and preparing the site for redevelopment. The ground was relevelled to create accessible levels, and vibrant surfacing was laid to define zones and ensure safety. Every detail was considered; from the layout of play features to the flow of movement through the garden.

To ensure the space was secure and child-friendly, CW Studio specified Jacksons’ Metal Playtime® fencing, a robust and visually sympathetic solution that meets the highest standards for safe playground fencing.

Why metal Metal Playtime® fencing was the right choice

Jacksons’ Metal Playtime® fencing was chosen for its exceptional safety credentials and suitability for therapeutic play environments. Designed specifically for playgrounds, it is fully compliant with BS EN 1176 standards for playground equipment and approved by RoSPA, offering peace of mind for hospice staff and families alike.

The fencing features anti-trap pale spacing to prevent head and limb entrapment, a flat top, and no sharp or protruding edges, supporting safe exploration for children of all ages and abilities. Its galvanised and powder-coated green finish blends naturally with the garden’s planting, creating a soft visual boundary that feels welcoming rather than institutional. Matching gates and fixings ensure seamless integration with the garden’s layout, supporting accessibility and ease of movement.

Durability was also a key consideration. With robust tubular construction and a premium finish, it is ideal for hospice settings where longevity and low maintenance are essential. With a 25-year Service Life Guarantee, it will provide long-term value for decades. In a space where safety, comfort and emotional wellbeing are paramount, Metal Playtime fencing provides a safe perimeter without compromising on aesthetics or inclusivity.

Outcome

The Gathering Heart Garden was officially opened on 30th September 2025, with families, children and supporters invited to celebrate its completion. Andy Goldsmith, CEO of Hope House Children’s Hospice, said:

“The Gathering Heart Garden is far more than a garden – it is a sanctuary of play, laughter, and peace where families can create lasting memories together, even in the most difficult of times.”

From the inclusive play equipment to the gentle planting and safe playground fencing, every element of the garden supports Hope House’s mission: to provide comfort, joy and connection for life-limited children and their families.