We are The Christie magazine July 2025 Staff edition

Feature story

A garden of healing At the heart of The Christie lies a garden unlike any other - a living, breathing sanctuary shaped not just by soil and sunlight but by compassion, creativity, and care.

For over five years, gardener Phill Walker has cultivated more than just plants; he’s nurtured a green space that offers comfort, space for reflection, and hope to patients, staff, and visitors alike. Phill’s approach to the garden was inspired by a patient who once told him, “There’s no rhyme or rhythm in life”. So, Phill designed the garden to reflect the unpredictability of the human experience. “That conversation changed everything,” he says. “It made me think differently about what the garden in a cancer centre should be.” Rather than following rigid landscaping rules, Phill embraced a philosophy of rhythm and disruption, mirroring life’s twists and turns. The result is a garden that feels alive with meaning. Structured beds sit beside wildflower bursts, creating a visual metaphor for the balance between order and chaos. But this garden is not just about aesthetics. It’s a therapeutic space designed to support emotional wellbeing. "Whether it’s a 10-minute stroll, a glance through the corridor window, or a peaceful moment seated among the blooms, the garden is there to offer a space for hope and reflection,” Phill explains. “It’s a space where nature gently intervenes.”

4