Hampshire

A look back at the partnership between Macmillan Cancer Support
and the National Gardens Scheme
Dean House, Hampshire © Leigh Clapp

Welcome
We are immensely pleased with our partnership with
Macmillan Cancer Support that was established in 1985,
and together we wish to celebrate that the National
Gardens Scheme have granted Macmillan in excess
of £15 million to date. We are proud to be the charity’s
largest single donor.
Over the years we have funded vital Macmillan services
for people affected by cancer including Clinical Nursing
Specialists, Financial Advisers, Dieticians, Physiotherapists
and Councillors.
2014 saw the opening of the first NGS Macmillan Wellbeing Centre in Bristol, this was
a ground breaking new initiative for the NGS. We are the country’s largest charitable
benefactor in the nursing and caring sector and it is part of our long term commitment
to nursing, caring and wellbeing in England and Wales.
Thanks to the continued generosity of the NGS garden owners, volunteers and visitors
alike, we are proud to be able to significantly help Macmillan in their ambition to ensure
that no one has to face cancer alone.
Martin McMillan OBE, Chairman, NGS
We have been working with the National Gardens
Scheme since 1985 and have received tremendous
support from them throughout this time.
Since our partnership took root, the NGS has funded
147 crucial Macmillan projects and professional posts
across the UK. These have provided thousands of people
affected by cancer with support, helping us make sure
no one faces cancer alone.
Cerney House Gardens ©Val Corbett
We are excited to show a selection of highlights from our
partnership in this brochure, such as the NGS Macmillan
Wellbeing Centre in Southmead Hospital, Bristol which provides vital support, information
and advice to an estimated 12,000 people each year. In addition to reading about the
outstanding achievements of the partnership you’ll also be able to experience real stories
of people whose lives have been changed thanks to the support of the National Gardens
Scheme and Macmillan.
Whether you are a garden owner, a volunteer or visitor, thank you so much for your support.
We are truly grateful. I hope you enjoy reading about all we have achieved together.
Julia Palca, Chairman, Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan / NGS Brochure 3

Macmillan and the NGS
The story so far
The partnership between Macmillan
and the NGS first began in 1985 and
has flourished over the past 30 years.
In that time we have both grown and
evolved whilst continuing to strengthen
our partnership together to help ensure
no one faces cancer alone.
Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan began in 1911 when
a young man named Douglas
Macmillan watched his father die of
cancer. His father’s pain and suffering
moved Douglas so much that he
wanted advice and information to
be provided to all people with cancer
and thus founded the ‘Society for the
Prevention and Relief of Cancer’.
Today much of Douglas’ legacy lives
on and we have grown to be the UK’s
leading source of cancer support,
helping more and more people
affected by cancer. From help with
money worries and advice about
work, to someone who’ll listen if
you just want to talk, we’re here.
‘In the 1980s, when the income from NGS
garden openings was increasing, the Council
decided that it was time to sponsor a further
charity. The Chairman of Council at the time
was Carolyn Hardy. She had visited an old
farm employee of her husband’s, who had
cancer and was being visited and helped by
a wonderful Macmillan nurse. After reporting
this story, Carolyn had little difficulty in
persuading her colleagues on the Council
that this was a cause worth supporting.’
Elspeth Napier, NGS Trustee 1970-1996
The National Gardens Scheme
The National Gardens Scheme was founded over
eighty years ago as a charitable organisation and
it has an unrivalled reputation as the organiser of
outstanding gardens being opened to visitors to
raise funds for charity. The particular area of
charitable funding has always been nursing and
caring; through regular annual donations the NGS
has established itself as one of the most significant
charitable funders of this sector.
Funds are raised by visitors paying to attend open
gardens and to enjoy home-made teas or buying
plants. The owners of the gardens donate the total
amounts raised at their open days and their generosity
is responsible for the millions of pounds that the NGS
is able to donate every year.
Macmillan Cancer Support
Douglas Macmillan establishes the
‘Society for the Prevention and Relief of Cancer’.
The first local fundraising committee
is formed in Bath.
We begin to support in-patient care, making our
first contributions towards building hospices.
We fund our first Macmillan nurses and we build
and equip the first Macmillan Cancer Care unit.
Our 1,000th Macmillan nurse is appointed.
Our Information Line opens. It helps more that
11,000 people during its first year of operation.
We launch our biggest ever campaign,
‘A Better Deal’, which calls for a better
financial deal for people dealing with cancer.
We change our name to Macmillan
Cancer Support to help people
better understand what we do.
Our services reach 5.7 million people,
more than ever before.
Our Services are accessed
more than nine million times.
1911
1934
National Gardens Scheme
1927
1931
1969 1970s
1975
1993
1997
2004
2006
1985
1980
Macmillan and the NGS begin their partnership.
1996
2010
2012 2012
2014
The National Gardens Scheme donates £500,000
towards funding the NGS Macmillan Wellbeing Centre
at Southmead Hospital in Bristol.
In our first year 609 gardens open at ‘one
shilling a head’ and raise over £8,000.
A network of volunteer County Organisers is set
up. Country Life magazine produces a handbook
that later becomes known as “The Yellow Book”
because of its bright cover.
Entrance fees are raised to more realistic and
useful levels, having been held at one shilling
despite much inflation.
The National Gardens Scheme Charitable Trust
is established as an independent charity.
Marie Curie, Hospice UK and Crossroads
(now Carers Trust) become beneficiary charities.
Beginning this year, a different annual ‘guest’
charity is chosen from recommendations from
NGS volunteers.
The NGS celebrates its 85th anniversary.
Many gardens which opened in 1927 open
their gates again to mark the occasion.
Douglas Macmillan
Since its foundation, the National Gardens Scheme
has donated over £45 million to its beneficiary
charities. The National Gardens Scheme’s
commitment to nursing and caring remains constant
and the charity continues to grow and flourish.
We celebrate 25 years
of the World’s Biggest
Coffee Morning.
2015
Macmillan and the NGS celebrate 30 years working together
and over £15 million raised since the start of the partnership.
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Macmillan / NGS Brochure
5

Garden owner case study
Moira Thomas, Cilgwyn Lodge,
Carmarthenshire
My partner Keith and I have opened our
garden for the National Gardens Scheme
since the year 2000.
In April 2005 I was diagnosed with breast
cancer, and I found that opening the
garden in the July of that year gave me
a focal point; I was determined to be well
again after my operation and to greet
our garden visitors and friends as usual.
My cancer diagnosis took place on the
8th April, and the following Monday
a Macmillan nurse visited me at home
and explained in detail what would be
happening to me for the lumpectomy
operation (which I had on the 18th May)
and subsequent radiotherapy treatment.
Preparing the garden for our NGS opening
after my lumpectomy certainly assisted in my
recovery, and helped me feel more positive
and in control; by the June of 2005 I was
busy every day planting a large number
of plants as instructed by Keith – who is
the main gardener at Cilgwyn Lodge.
Our open day in July was completely
overwhelming; so many work colleagues
who I had not seen in three months
attended, and all our friends were there to
support us too. Our fantastic open day set
me in good stead for the next stage of my
treatment – radiotherapy.
In 2010 I was given the ‘all clear’.
The visit by the Macmillan nurse was
particularly helpful during such a
worrying and anxious time and was much
appreciated – especially as 35 years ago
my mother had died of breast cancer and
had received no such support in those days.
The visit was also extremely helpful for
Keith, as it is often the partner who has to
be the ‘brave one’ and support the person
diagnosed with cancer.
‘In April 2005 I was diagnosed
with breast cancer, and
I found that opening the
garden in the July of that year
gave me a focal point.’
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Macmillan / NGS Brochure 7

A blossoming partnership
To date the NGS have funded over
147 Macmillan projects and professional
posts that provide support to key
services in communities across the
country. Below you can learn more
about the impact of this staggering
level of funding and how it has helped
to ensure no one faces cancer alone.
Our partnership began in 1985 when
the NGS donated £35,000 to support
Macmillan professionals. Although worth
a lot more then, even at today’s costs
£35,000 would pay for 1,296 Macmillan
nursing hours, helping people living with
cancer and their families receive essential
medical, practical and emotional support.
Over the next three decades they continued
to support professionals such as in
2000 when the NGS funded eight roles,
including Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS)
in Hartlepool and Whittington. Macmillan
CNSs provide leadership, innovation and
expertise within a specialty area of nursing.
This can be directly, when patients have
highly complex care needs that require
specialist assessment and care planning,
or indirectly, by supporting and guiding
others to provide care and support.
In 2014 we were excited to see
a new phase of our partnership
beginning as the NGS supported
their first build, the NGS Macmillan
Wellbeing Centre at Southmead
Hospital in Bristol (see page 22).
Susan Ramsay’s role as a Macmillan
Dietician Team Leader in Oncology
(head and neck cancers) was funded
by the NGS in 2010.
It was a vital new position that was able
to improve the quality of care to head
and neck cancer patients in Plymouth.
The treatments for this type of cancer
can have an impact on the amount and
type of foods people can eat but this
role is able to help people minimise
the difficulties they face in maintaining
adequate nutrition.
‘The generosity of the NGS garden
owners allowed this crucial role to be
established and offer vital support to
people affected by head and neck
cancer in Plymouth’ said Susan.
Susan Ramsay
Total raised since 1985
Over the last 30 years the NGS has
raised over £15 million to support
Macmillan Cancer Support.
This is thanks to the time and passion
that the NGS garden owners and
volunteers have dedicated to their
garden openings.
First donation
made to
Macmillan
£35,000
Over
£5 million
raised for Macmillan
Over
£10 million
raised for Macmillan
Over
£15 million
raised for Macmillan
1985 1996 2004 2015
The centre was able to help nearly
900 people in its first 10 months alone,
providing expert guidance and signposting
for people affected by cancer. A visit to
a cancer information and support centre
provides people with the chance to ask
questions and talk through their concerns
with specialist staff and trained volunteers.
‘Even at today’s costs
£35,000 would pay
for 1,296 Macmillan
nursing hours.’
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Macmillan / NGS Brochure 9

Garden owner case study
Brian and Hilary Barnes,
Little Wantley, Sussex
Hilary Barnes was an award winning
gardener who spent hours each day
in her masterpiece garden.
Her passion and diligence for Little Wantley
in Sussex inspired those that visited and her
outstanding work never failed to impress
her husband Brian. They chose to open
their garden to the public seven times with
the National Gardens Scheme in order to
share its beauty with other avid gardeners
whilst at the same time raising thousands
of pounds for Macmillan.
It was in 1997 when Brian extended their
land, acquiring a further three acres, that
Hilary’s expertise were proudly displayed.
Their good friend Geoff Austin designed
a one and a half acre lake for the new
grounds but it took Hilary’s imagination
and skills to transform the area into the
exceptional beauty it exudes to this day.
A few years later, in 2002, Hilary and
Brian decided to share their garden
through opening with the NGS. Crowds
were enthused to hear Hilary’s passion for
gardening and see her collection of roses.
The time and energy that she had invested
could clearly be seen in the magnificent
planting throughout the grounds.
During the seven times that they opened
the garden they raised over £30,000.
Brian was exceptionally proud of his wife
for fundraising such a large amount and
said “Three years ago we managed to
make £8,500 in one NGS weekend”.
Sadly in 2013 Hilary fell ill and tests
revealed that she had a rare cancer in her
lungs. Whilst initially chemotherapy was
able to help, the cancer came back the
following year and had spread to other
parts of her body.
Brian provided exceptional care and support
to his wife but one of his biggest fears was
that a time would come where she would
have to go in to a hospice. Thankfully
Macmillan was able to help.
‘Macmillan brought a special bed in
and all the other paraphernalia that
was necessary and gave Hilary the
opportunity to have her last breath
looking out at her miracle, her garden.
It was fantastic.’
Through providing care at home Macmillan
was able to ensure that Hilary had the
ability to choose the environment where
she wanted to spend her last days, at home
surrounded by her family and looking out
over her lifetime’s work.
In 2015 Brian decided to open the
garden one last time in Hilary’s memory.
“No praise is high enough for the
Macmillan nurses who provided us with
the information and support that we
needed when facing such a difficult time
and now I wanted to help them to ensure
no one faces cancer alone by raising vital
funds to support their work.”
Over 1,200 visitors attended and Brian
was able to raise an impressive £9,800
to honour the talent and dedication of
his late wife.
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Macmillan / NGS Brochure 11

National Gardens
Festival Weekend
The National Gardens Festival Weekend
is an annual celebration of gardening.
Each summer over 400 gardens throw
open their gates to the public over a
single weekend in June. Over 50,000
people visit the Festival Weekend gardens,
raising a staggering £250,000 each
year for the NGS’ beneficiary charities,
including Macmillan.
It is thanks to the hard work of the NGS
volunteers and garden owners that this
weekend is such a success. Their dedication
and enthusiasm ensures all visitors have
a fantastic day out as they enjoy the beauty
of the gardens.
‘One of the great things about the
National Gardens Scheme is the
sheer diversity of its gardens, and the
Festival Weekend provides the perfect
opportunity to showcase this to the
public. Big or small, formal or informal,
modern or traditional – there’s a Festival
garden to suit absolutely all tastes.’
Joe Swift, TV presenter and garden designer
Key Festival Facts
• The country’s biggest
annual celebration of
gardening
• Over 400 gardens throw
open their gates to the
public over a single June
weekend
• There’s a Festival Weekend
garden open in every county
in England and Wales
• Over £250,000 raised
every year for NGS
beneficiary charities
including Macmillan
• Over 50,000 visitors to
Festival gardens every year
Photos on this page © Anoushka Vandyk
‘The Festival Weekend offers a snapshot
of the fantastic gardens that open
throughout the year to raise funds for
nursing and caring charities including
Macmillan Cancer Support. As a
volunteer in Berkshire I love chatting
with visitors in gardens and it’s always
a joy to meet new supporters – many
of whom have said they first heard
about NGS garden openings through
Festival publicity. They are bowled over
by the beautiful gardens, delicious
cakes and feel-good atmosphere
that create such an enjoyable day out.
Our biggest challenge is spreading the
word about what we do and why we
do it, so a huge thank you to everyone
who supports Macmillan by visiting
NGS gardens and telling your friends.’
Heather Skinner, Volunteer, NGS Deputy Chairman
and Berkshire County Organiser
© Christine Santa Ana © Anoushka Vandyk © Carole Drake
© Anoushka Vandyk
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Macmillan / NGS Brochure 13

Anne and Nicky
We reached 554,896
cancer patients through
our Macmillan nurses.
In addition to these patients,
our Macmillan nurses helped
many more carers, family
members and friends.*
The impact of
Macmillan’s work
Macmillan nurses help people living
with cancer and their families receive
essential medical, practical, financial
and emotional support. In 2014, our
Macmillan nurses were able to reach
more than 550,000 people living with
cancer and support many more carers,
family members and friends.
Anne was diagnosed with uterine cancer
in 2011 and was immediately assigned
a Macmillan nurse, Nicky, who was there
for her throughout her treatment.
‘Nicky was there from the word go.
She was there for me through all my
consultations. She would sit in on my
consultations and then stay behind
afterwards to make sure I’d understood
all the information I’d been given, give
me leaflets if I needed them and point me
in the right direction – and always with a
reassuring smile.’ After a hysterectomy and
chemotherapy, Anne was told the prognosis
was a terminal one, and that she probably
didn’t have more than six months to live.
Anne continued with radiotherapy, which
made her very poorly and weak. After
being rushed to hospital with complications
one night, she woke up to be told that no
cancerous tissue could be found – it had
gone into remission. ‘Of course it was
amazing, but it was also incredibly difficult
to think about putting my life back together
when I thought I’d finished it and tied up all
the loose ends.’
‘Nicky was there from the word go...
and always with a reassuring smile.’
‘I wouldn’t have coped without Macmillan.
They did so much for me – gave me advice,
counselling. It doesn’t stop when the
treatment has finished. It’s really important to
have a Macmillan nurse there to help you. It
was something I couldn’t have done without.’
Our Financial Guidance
Services that provide
information and guidance
on issues such as pension
options, insurance or even
just explaining financial
jargon provided 4,682
people affected by
cancer with
advice in
the UK.*
We supported an
estimated 5.4 million
people affected by
cancer in the UK
through at least one
of our services.*
33,011 people with cancer
on low incomes received
a Macmillan Grant to help
them to meet costs that can
arise from the condition and
its treatment.*
*These statistics are from 2014 and can be found in ‘The reach of Macmillan’s services’
on be.Macmillan http://be.macmillan.org.uk/AboutOurBrand/Ourfactsheets.aspx
Macmillan Information and
Support Services were visited
452,829 times.*
We reached an estimated
3.4 million people
affected by cancer through
our Macmillan printed
information resources.*
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Macmillan / NGS Brochure 15

The importance of
physical activity
Move More
In 2011 Macmillan launched our
media campaign “Move More” to raise
awareness of the benefits of being active
during and after cancer treatment for
people living with cancer.
a difficult time. By raising awareness of the
great benefits that gardening can bring we
have been able to grow our partnership
with Macmillan, and continue to support
their valuable work.”
The ambition of the campaign was to
ensure that everyone living with and beyond
cancer is enabled to choose, if they want
to, to become and to stay active at a level
that is right for them.
Both during and after cancer treatment,
being physically active can help people
to prevent and manage some of the
consequences of treatment such as heart
damage, bone thinning and fatigue.
And there is a growing body of evidence
that being active may reduce the relative
risk of disease progression, mortality and
recurrence for some cancers.
Most importantly people tell us that it helps
them take back control, whether that’s being
able to live independently or return to work.
The NGS has supported the concept behind
Macmillan’s physical activity programme
for many years by encouraging people to
take up or re-engage with gardening for
the benefit of their health and wellbeing.
This support comes in addition to the
funding they provide, demonstrating how
our partnership has grown to incorporate
raising awareness as well as funds.
George Plumptre, Chief Executive of the
NGS added: “We are proud to support
Macmillan’s physical activity programme as
we know from experience how gardening
can provide an excellent way for people to
become active, and to help someone to feel
more positive when they are going through
There are currently 2.5 million people living
with cancer in the UK, and this number
is expected to rise to 4 million by 2030.
Macmillan’s services will become more
vital than ever before, and as part of that
we want to ensure that people are aware of
the benefits that physical activity can bring.
Macmillan’s Chief Medical Officer Professor
Jane Maher says: “It’s so important that
we bust this myth that cancer patients should
‘rest up’. So many patients and professionals
still believe that it is necessary to rest during
and after cancer treatment. However we
know that doing moderate physical activity
such as gardening on a regular basis
actually helps to significantly reduce the
impact of side-effects of cancer treatment
such as depression, fatigue, bone thinning,
muscle wasting and heart damage. It is vital
that people living with a cancer diagnosis
are aware of these benefits and are
encouraged to do moderate physical activity
by health professionals, friends and family.
NGS’ support is invaluable in encouraging
and inspiring them to get active.”
Department of Health
and ‘Make Sport Fun’
‘It’s so important
that we bust this
myth that cancer
patients should
‘rest up’...’
Professor Jane Maher, Chief Medical Officer,
Macmillan Cancer Support
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Garden owner case study
Geoff Stonebanks,
Driftwood, East Sussex
Garden owner case study
Griselda Kerr,
The Dower House, Derbyshire
I was cajoled by friends and family
into opening my small seaside garden,
Driftwood, to the public back in 2009,
and have never looked back since.
I soon became aware that visitors found
Driftwood unique and inspiring, and
so it seemed only right to open for the
National Gardens Scheme – which is
viewed as a real achievement in the
garden visiting world!
I first opened for the NGS in 2011 and
became a member of the East Sussex
county volunteer team the following year.
As well as enjoying the ‘badge of honour’
status that came with opening for the
Scheme, I also discovered that there was
a thriving feeling of involvement with
garden owners and volunteers alike,
and it made me proud to be part of it all!
Around the same time that I became
involved with the NGS, I set up a Garden
Coastal Trail to raise money for Macmillan
Cancer Support’s new Horizon Centre in
Brighton. Macmillan is a charity close to
my heart; they provided wonderful support
for my parents prior to my father’s death
in 2007, and their brand touches everyone
at some point. I also set up the Driftwood
Fundraising Group for Macmillan, of which
I am the Chair, and this has raised over
£32,000 for the Horizon Centre.
Being able to support Macmillan through
opening for the NGS is just wonderful.
Driftwood has enjoyed sixteen NGS open
days since 2011, raising £16,335.
‘I also set up the Driftwood
Fundraising Group for Macmillan,
of which I am the Chair, and this
has raised over £32,000 for the
Horizon Centre.’
On our NGS open days, my partner Mark
and I have served over 1,500 portions of
cake (all home-baked by me) and over
1,700 cups of tea or coffee! The incredible
feedback from visitors makes it all worth it
and encourages you to achieve more and
more each year!
My heavy involvement with both the NGS
and Macmillan are responsibilities which
I relish and definitely plan to continue with
for the foreseeable future.
My sister Katy, who died from cancer
in 2005, had fantastic support from
Macmillan. The nurses were faultless
in their care for her in her remote cottage
in Wales – and helped to give the rest of
the family peace of mind.
The exceptional care Katy received was
undoubtedly one of the main reasons
for deciding to open for the NGS in 2008.
I have opened nearly every year since then,
including for the National Gardens Festival
Weekend in 2014 which was great fun. It is
important for visitors to know that they are
supporting very good causes.
I hope our garden has something for
everyone to enjoy. Children can search for
a bronze crocodile, crouching lions,
a stone pig, a metal bug... they might also
see a huge iron sunflower hanging in a tree
and a bronze girl doing cartwheels. But
the main joy of the garden is its intensive
planting amongst which tea can be taken
in a very pretty landscape. The roses look
their best in June whilst the late summer
beds are vibrant in August and September.
The structure of the garden is thrilling on a
clear February day and in April the garden
is full of tulips.
It is a pleasure to share our garden with the
public not least because of the support Katy
received from the wonderful Macmillan
nurses. She said so often that she could not
have managed without them and she loved
this garden.
Photo of Geoff © Heathcliff O’Malley
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Keeping their gates open
for more than 80 years
Garden visitor case study
Ian Salter, West Yorkshire
For more than eighty years the NGS has
opened beautiful gardens renowned for
their variety and quality to raise funds for
nursing and caring charities.
In the Scheme’s inaugural year of 1927,
most of the 609 gardens that opened to the
public for the first time were large country
estates. Today, the rolling acres attached
to great houses sit happily alongside those
belonging to village cottages and urban
terraced houses, to schools and allotment
groups. However, loyalty runs deep in the
National Gardens Scheme, and many
gardens have been opened by successive
owners or generations of the same family
for many years. There are even a small
number of gardens which opened in 1927
which are open to NGS visitors today, such
as High Glanau Manor in Gwent (pictured).
‘Today, the rolling acres
attached to great houses
sit happily alongside those
belonging to village cottages
and urban terraced houses...’
I call myself ‘Ian the Garden Rambler.’
I have travelled all over England and
Wales, visiting hundreds of NGS gardens.
However, I wasn’t always a garden
enthusiast, and before 1995 I had
never even visited an NGS garden.
My story begins with sadness. After caring
for my wife Pam who died at 48 with MS,
and seeing our two daughters struggle with
serious health conditions, I was then made
redundant when our business closed. In the
midst of all this stress and anxiety I realised
that I had cancer. It took time to convince
the local medics of the necessary operation
and course of radiotherapy but eventually
I was able to overcome the disease.
After Pam passed away in 1995, I wanted
to acknowledge the fact that I had survived
cancer and also to give something back to
causes that offered cancer care and family
support. After all, what would life have
been like for my daughters without their
dad around too? With this in mind I visited
my first NGS garden where I saw a Choisya
(Mexican orange blossom) and decided
that this was the perfect plant to help me
revive our neglected little suburban plot,
in memory of my dear wife.
So without intention I found myself with
a new interest in gardening and a new
passion for visiting NGS gardens. By visiting
the gardens, I was enjoying the double
benefit of getting great ideas for our own
garden and also knowing that I was helping
Macmillan Cancer Support and other
excellent causes.
Since the late 1990s I have visited
NGS gardens all over the country – folk
recognise me with my camera, always
busily clicking away! The experience has
been so wonderful; not only has it given
me hundreds of new friends and a
wonderful passion, it has also given my
daughters precious peace of mind knowing
that dad is happy out on his garden visits!
So to all the NGS garden owners and
volunteers: thank you for enriching my life
so much. You are a true inspiration.
Most importantly though is that the
charitable purpose behind the garden
openings – the primary support for nursing
and caring – remains constant and has
never been more important, having
grown from just over 600 gardens
raising £8,000 to 3,800 giving away
more than £2.6 million.
High Glanau Manor, Gwent, 1927 © Country Life (top)
and today © Val Corbett (bottom)
Sizergh Castle, Cumbria © Val Corbett
Waterperry Gardens, Oxfordshire © Andrew Lawson
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Macmillan / NGS Brochure 21

A new chapter for
the partnership
NGS Macmillan Wellbeing Centre in Bristol
In 2014 Macmillan and the National
Gardens Scheme entered an exciting
new chapter of our partnership as we
worked on our first build together.
The NGS Macmillan Wellbeing Centre at
Southmead Hospital in Bristol demonstrates
the unwavering commitment that the NGS
has to supporting frontline care in the
community through providing a dedicated
centre for people living with and beyond
a cancer diagnosis, helping to ensure that
no one in Bristol has to face cancer alone.
The centre creates a tangible legacy of the
partnership as it provides those living in the
region with information and support about
their condition and treatment for
generations to come.
“Supporting the NGS Macmillan Wellbeing
Centre is a massively important new
venture for our partnership, and confirms
the National Gardens Scheme’s firm
commitment to granting funds to support
frontline nursing and caring in the
community – where they are needed
most,” said George Plumptre, NGS CEO.
“Working together with Macmillan, we
hope that this is the start of a universally
rewarding strategy that will continue
with the NGS funding similar ventures
in future years.”
Why was the support needed?
The North Bristol NHS Trust serves a
population of approximately 500,000
people and the area has a higher than
average rate of cancer diagnosis compared
to the rest of the UK. Despite every effort
from the existing services in the area,
they often worked in isolation meaning
that support for people affected by cancer
could be difficult to access and, at times,
inconsistent. In order to ensure there
was adequate information and support
available to those in the community
a dedicated Macmillan service was
needed that would be able to provide
an environment that would help people
better manage living with cancer.
What help does it offer?
The NGS Macmillan Wellbeing Centre
provides expert guidance and signposting
for people affected by cancer who are
not sure what other help and support
is available. It has been designed with
patients and their families in mind with
comfortable chairs, private spaces and
guided access to information along with
space for education and support groups.
People are able to simply drop in and
make the most of the centre that provides
a comfortable and inviting environment
which is crucial at a time that can be so
difficult for many people.
The centre also offers a variety of courses,
seminars and information days designed
to improve an individual’s ability to cope
during the diagnosis, treatment and posttreatment
phases of the cancer journey.
These sessions include craft workshops,
meeting a dietician, a walking group,
yoga and meditation which are crucial
for a patient’s efforts to cope with the
disruptions to their quality of life. People
affected by cancer can also access a range
of complimentary therapies at the centre
to support their wellbeing.
“This new NGS Macmillan Wellbeing
Centre means that, for the first time in
Bristol, there will be a dedicated Macmillan
Centre to provide all the additional support
that people need when they are diagnosed
with cancer, both to help them through
treatment and then to help with returning
to a normal life afterwards, whatever that
may mean for them,” said Maggie Crowe,
Macmillan Development Manager
for Macmillan Cancer Support
‘It is such a wonderful place, I can’t thank
you enough and won’t forget what you have
provided, a haven in my distressed world.’
NGS Macmillan Wellbeing Centre service user
22 Macmillan / NGS Brochure
Macmillan / NGS Brochure 23

The next big project
NGS Macmillan Unit at Chesterfield Royal Hospital
How has it helped?
The NGS Macmillan Wellbeing Centre
opened in August 2014 and within the first
10 months it had helped nearly 900 people
by providing comprehensive and expert
local cancer information and support.
This has made a real difference to their
quality of life by helping them to improve
their physical and mental health and
wellbeing by enabling them to better
manage living with cancer.
This comprehensive standard of information
on a variety of issues ensures that every
visitor can benefit from a better knowledge
and understanding of their cancer and
treatment. Therefore patients are better
equipped and prepared with questions
for consultations with health professionals.
The improvement in understanding and
participation this achieves increases
patient involvement in the decision making
process and therefore assists in a greater
satisfaction in treatment choices.
‘When I left the centre it felt like a
weight had been lifted, you made
more sense than any doctor I have
seen so far, it is the right service
and place to be and that is why
we will be coming back.’
NGS Macmillan Wellbeing Centre service user
Following the success of the NGS
Macmillan Wellbeing Centre in Bristol
we are excited to be working together
on another project that will improve
patient experience, this time the NGS
Macmillan Unit at Chesterfield Royal
Hospital in Derbyshire.
Over the next three years the NGS are
donating £1.5 million towards this purpose
built facility that will improve the lives of
people affected by cancer in the region.
‘I have to go for treatment seven times
a month at four different hospital
departments which are at opposite
ends of the hospital. It can be stressful
having to travel around different
departments for treatment and can
result in a huge amount of time
wastage for me and for the staff.’
James Colhoun, leukaemia patient.
Why is the support needed?
Around 1,500 people are diagnosed with
cancer in North Derbyshire every year and
at any one time as many as 9,000 people
are receiving cancer care and treatment.
Facilities for cancer care at Chesterfield
Royal Hospital are in a variety of locations
across the hospital’s site. The chemotherapy
unit in particular is at full capacity, which
means some patients have to travel to
Sheffield for their treatment. Excellent
quality of care is affected by cramped
conditions, making it difficult for friends
and family to attend appointments with
their loved ones. Sometimes discussions,
the sharing of information and treatment
are not as private as the dedicated team
of staff would like.
However, thanks to the support that the
NGS will provide to this exciting new project,
Macmillan and Chesterfield Royal Hospital
will be able to address these issues to ensure
people affected by cancer receive their
treatment in the best environment possible.
24 Macmillan / NGS Brochure
Macmillan / NGS Brochure 25

A momentous year
What impact will the unit have?
The NGS Macmillan Unit will combine
out-patient chemotherapy and clinical
haematology services as well as offering
information and support services in one
purpose built centre. The chemotherapy
suite will have the space and equipment
to treat 26 people at a time – a huge
increase in capacity from the eight chairs
currently available.
There will also be an on-site Macmillan
Information and Support Centre which will
give patients access to cancer information,
benefits advice and counselling services to
ensure all their non-clinical needs are also
met. Information and support experts will
be on hand to signpost patients to other
local services such as support groups,
or just provide a friendly ear.
‘Our facilities were built almost
thirty years ago when we had
neither the number of patients
nor the vast array of treatment
options that we have now.
Currently, patients have to visit
different parts of the hospital for
treatment, usually on different
days. It would be a dream
come true to have all our cancer
services under one roof.’
When our partnership first began in
1985 we could never have imagined
the level of funds that would be raised
thanks to individuals choosing to open
their gardens to the public.
All these years later we are astounded by
the ongoing commitment of garden owners
which has had such a staggering impact
on the lives of people affected by cancer.
As we celebrate 30 years of working
together and an incredible £15 million
raised we also recognise the NGS as the
largest single donor to Macmillan, and one
of our longest standing corporate partners.
This is an outstanding achievement and is
thanks to the exceptional support of the NGS
garden owners and volunteers who have
given countless hours of their time to raise
these funds, helping Macmillan to ensure
that no one has to face cancer alone.
We announced that we had reached this
exciting milestone at the Tatton Park Flower
Show in July 2015 with NGS President Joe
Swift, NGS Chairman Martin McMillan
OBE and Macmillan Partnership Manager
Miranda Taylor-Gooby.
Sheree Hall, Macmillan Lead Cancer Nurse
26 Macmillan / NGS Brochure
Macmillan / NGS Brochure 27

Garden owner case study
Susan & Doug Copeland,
Wickets, Essex
We first opened our garden for the
National Gardens Scheme in August
1996. We were both working full time
back then and had resisted previous
requests to open from the NGS County
Organiser for fear of not having enough
time to dedicate to an NGS opening.
However, following the sad death of a
very good friend, we changed our minds.
Our friend had been diagnosed with
ovarian cancer and she and her family
had benefited so much from her having
a wonderfully caring Macmillan nurse.
We felt that opening for the NGS was a
way of giving something back to the charity
that had helped such a dear friend.
Opening for the NGS also proved to be
a valuable motivation to stay on top of
our large country garden. Doug brought
his artist’s eye to help create a design
that curtsies to the cottage-style house.
I retrained as a garden designer and
together we have undertaken many
exciting projects in the garden. I have
so many ideas that the garden constantly
evolves and the lawns reduce in size as
new borders are created!
The NGS is in our blood and we will
continue to support the Scheme as long
as we are able. It helps to keep us healthy
and at the same time we both feel that we
are giving something back to society.
‘We felt that opening for the NGS
was a way of giving something
back to the charity that had
helped such a dear friend.’
We strongly believe that the NGS’
relationship with Macmillan will
continue to prosper over the coming
years, especially as more and more
people are recognising that there is a
significant link between gardens and
health. We look forward to supporting,
and being part of, such a strong charity
partnership for many years to come.
NGS open days are so rewarding, meeting
lots of interesting people. Many return year
after year and have become good friends.
We find that sharing our garden while
raising money for such worthy causes is
very heart-warming.
We always thank our visitors for coming
and supporting us, however it is humbling
when visitors who come to every open day
say “No, we thank you for allowing us to
enjoy your lovely garden, we feel totally
rejuvenated.”
28 Macmillan / NGS Brochure
Macmillan / NGS Brochure 29

Get involved
30
How Macmillan can support you
No one should face cancer alone. For support,
information or if you just want to chat, call us free
on 0808 808 00 00 (Monday – Friday, 9am – 8pm)
or visit macmillan.org.uk
Get involved with Macmillan
We couldn’t provide all the support we do without
you. So if you want to get involved, in whatever way
you can, whether it’s as a fundraiser, a volunteer or
a campaigner, call us today on 0300 1000 200 or
email fundraising@macmillan.org.uk
Open your Garden
If you have a garden that is worth visiting, please
think about opening it for the NGS.
If you are interested in finding out more about
opening your garden for the NGS, please visit
www.ngs.org.uk/get-involved/open-your-garden.
aspx or call 01483 211 535 for further details.
Visit a Garden
There are four easy ways to find out where and when
gardens near you are open:
• By visiting the Find a Garden page on the NGS
website: www.ngs.org.uk/gardens/
find-a-garden.aspx
• By purchasing Gardens To Visit (formerly The Yellow
Book). Gardens To Visit is published every February
and you can purchase it from the NGS website or
call 01483 211 535. You can also find Gardens
To Visit in most good bookshops.
• By finding a quick reference County Booklet.
These booklets list gardens open in your county
and are normally available from libraries, garden
centres, tourist offices and bookshops.
• By downloading and using the free NGS
‘Find a garden’ app.
Macmillan / NGS Brochure
Acknowledgements
We would like to say thank you to a number
of people who have contributed to this
brochure and without whom it would not
have been possible to create. The personal
stories and outstanding photos they have
provided have allowed the NGS and
Macmillan to produce this special brochure
that celebrates the exceptional contribution
of garden owners, volunteers and visitors
who have raised so much money to support
people affected by cancer.
Special thanks to:
Brian Barnes, Moira Thomas, Susan
and Doug Copeland, Geoff Stonebanks,
Ian Salter, Griselda Kerr for sharing their
gardens and stories.
Photographers who so beautifully captured
the NGS gardens featured in this brochure.
NGS Garden Owners, volunteers and
visitors for their outstanding support for
the last 30 years.
Nicky, Macmillan nurse and Anne,
Macmillan service user.
NGS Macmillan Wellbeing Centre in
Bristol service users and staff.
NGS Macmillan Unit at Chesterfield
Royal Hospital service users and staff.
Rosalind Ellis, Communications Officer,
NGS.
Aimee Perry, Macmillan Cancer Support.
Norchard, Pembrokeshire

Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907)
and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. MAC15918
The National Gardens Scheme. A company limited by guarantee. Registered in England and Wales.
Charity Number 1112664. Company Number 5631421