Local floristry’s gifts brighten up wards during lockdown

Recognising that our high-risk patients might be feeling particularly isolated during the lockdown period, local award-winning floral design company Lucy Vail Floristry generously donated plants to brighten up the wards for our staff, patients, and residents.

“We are so glad the plants were appreciated. We chose to support the RHN as a very dear friend of mine is a patient on Wolfson ward and we were able to see how incredibly supportive your staff were with his family when they weren’t able to visit,” said Laura Duncombe, director at Lucy Vail Floristry.

To help keep our patients, residents, families and staff safe, the RHN stopped visits to the hospital just before the national lockdown. As cases of the coronavirus were identified in the hospital, wards also went into smaller internal lockdowns. These strict, yet necessary, measures meant that patients were often confined to wards. Where possible, patients were taken for short walks through the RHN’s gardens, though their usual freedoms were restricted to allow for better control of any outbreaks.

“The care and continued support provided to my friend has been so appreciated during lockdown. The nurses kept in close contact with his family and friends by setting up FaceTime calls which I know was a huge comfort to those who love him,” said Laura.

“The plants definitely helped to brighten up the wards during this difficult time. It was such an expected gesture and I know patients and staff were so grateful for it,” said Justin Finbow, matron at the RHN.

Lucy Vail Floristry specialises in installations and weddings as well as private and corporate events.

“We as a company were impacted badly by COVID-19. We are primarily an events florist and with all of our weddings and events being postponed, or cancelled, had to pivot our business. Before lockdown hit, we teamed up with our lovely friends at Doggart & Squash, an amazing catering duo based in South London. Together we began delivering food and plant packages to people’s doorsteps throughout the capital and further field,” said Laura.

“We also created our ‘bloom buckets’, packed full of British grown flowers with easy-to-follow instructions, so that people at home could learn to create floral arrangements at home with the hope of giving some moments of quiet joy in these unprecedented times,” said Laura.

Thank you to Laura and the team at Lucy Vail Floristry for their support. You can find out more about Lucy Vail Floristry on their website.