A newly refurbished outdoor space has opened at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn, designed to help reduce anxiety and support children’s wellbeing during hospital visits.
The Roxburgh Garden, based within the hospital’s children’s day centre, has been transformed thanks to a £40,000 donation from the hospital’s League of Friends charity.
The redesigned space offers a calm, safe and accessible environment where young patients can play, explore or simply take a break from busy clinical areas. For many children attending appointments, especially those requiring ongoing care, the garden provides a much-needed sense of normality.
Improvements include new soft play surfacing, a levelled grass area, secure fencing and seating for parents and carers—creating a welcoming space for families as well as children.
Staff say the impact is already clear, particularly for children who find hospital environments overwhelming. The garden allows them to step outside, reduce stress and feel more at ease before or after appointments.
The Roxburgh Children’s Day Centre supports more than 4,000 children each year, offering a range of specialist and general outpatient services.
The centre is named after Dr Ronnie Roxburgh, a pioneering paediatric consultant, and his son attended the reopening event alongside supporters and staff.
Hospital leaders and volunteers say the project highlights the importance of environments that support not just physical health, but emotional wellbeing too—helping children feel more comfortable during what can often be a challenging experience.
