Health Heart Hope partners with Redrow South East to build a summer house for patients

Health Heart Hope, the charity supporting Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, was delighted to welcome Redrow South East to officially open a newly constructed summer house in Webb’s Garden at St Martin’s Hospital, Canterbury.

The project was made possible thanks to Redrow South East’s generous £10,000 donation, along with many hours of hands-on volunteering from Redrow staff. Fourteen team members contributed their time throughout the build, supported by sub-contractor partners E W Gee, Landmark Civil Engineering and C&M Carpentry, who also volunteered their skills to bring the project to life.

The new summer house, now named The Redrow Retreat, will serve as a peaceful, sheltered therapy space for both inpatients and community patients receiving care from Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. The space is designed to encourage reflection, private conversations and connection with nature, offering patients, staff, volunteers and families year-round access to nature-based recovery in a calm, supportive setting.

Kirsty McInnes, Charity and Volunteer Manager for Health Heart Hope, expressed her gratitude: “We are incredibly grateful to Redrow for their generosity and belief in what this project could achieve. Their £10,000 gift is the largest single donation we have ever received and it has enabled us to create a space that will make a real and lasting difference. The Redrow Retreat is much more than a building; it is a place where people can find calm, connect with others and feel supported on their recovery journey. This project shows how powerful social value partnerships can be when we work together to support people in Kent and Medway who are living with mental illness to live well.”

Redrow’s contribution reflects the company’s wider commitment to supporting mental health, wellbeing and thriving communities. The housebuilder champions nature rich developments and recognises the long term benefits of green spaces for people and the environment.

Adrian Richardson, Director of Transformation and Partnerships at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, added: “I want to thank everyone who helped bring the Redrow Retreat to life. Health Heart Hope works tirelessly to support our trust, and this project shows what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared purpose.

“The partnership with Redrow South East is a great example of sustainable collaboration, creating something that will continue to support people for many years. This new space offers a welcoming environment where patients can take time to reflect, feel safe and connect with nature as part of their recovery.”

Alongside the summer house, the charity has planted an oak tree in Webb’s Garden, a nod to the Barratt Redrow logo. The oak symbolises strength and resilience, mirroring the determination of those living with mental illness.

Chris Lilley, Managing Director at Redrow South East, comments: “At Redrow, we believe time outdoors is vital to wellbeing and our commitment to green spaces extends beyond our developments. We’re delighted to have donated £10,000 to Health Heart Hope and proud to collaborate with them on the new summer house. This initiative will make a crucial difference to those under the trust’s care by providing a safe space where they can also connect with nature.

“Building sustainable communities is incredibly important to us, and equally, supporting key workers and armed forces members who make our communities such a success. Our dedicated schemes help more people who commit their careers to helping our communities and serving our country, to move into their dream home, whether that be their first home or taking their next step on the property ladder.”