The Stroke Association’s ‘Garden for Recovery’ has officially been opened by Emmerdale actor Mark Charnock at Chapel Allerton Hospital.

The new garden also won bronze at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show and is hoped to benefit patients, their families and staff.

Now in its permanent location next to the stroke unit at Chapel Allerton Hospital, it will provide a place for connection and rest for stroke survivors and their families, supporting them in achieving their best possible recovery.

Shaped by landscape designer Miria Harris’ own experience of stroke in 2019, which affected her ability to speak and form words properly, joined with the stories of other stroke survivors, the plants will inspire stroke recovery, both physically and mentally.

The garden is a welcoming, accessible, peaceful and sensory space for recovery.

Colour and scent provide soft wayfinding for those with visual or mobility needs, and seating provides places to rest along the way.

Over 88,000 people survive a stroke every year in the UK, but surviving a stroke is just the start of a long path to finding a way back to life.

Craige Richardson, director of estates and facilities at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Having the Stroke Association’s Garden for Recovery at Chapel Allerton Hospital is hugely beneficial to our patients and positively impacts the environment.

"Not only does the garden provide patients and staff with direct access to nature, which is known to have a positive impact on recovery and wellbeing, it also increases the biodiversity of the landscape and enhances green infrastructure, a building block for climate resilience that supports our longer-term Sustainability commitment.”