A 22-year-old woman who suffered a life-threatening brain bleed has said her recovery would have been 'profoundly different' without the gardening therapy offered by a West Yorkshire hospital. Rose Hickman was working at her family's business when the bleed occurred, according to a verified report from the BBC dated May 24, 2026.
Hickman received treatment at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield, which offers a gardening therapy program as part of its rehabilitation services. The program, run by the hospital's occupational therapy team, helps patients with neurological conditions improve motor skills and mental well-being through horticultural activities.
'Gardening therapy gave me a sense of purpose and routine when everything else felt chaotic,' Hickman told the BBC. She noted that tasks like planting and weeding helped rebuild her coordination and confidence. The hospital confirmed that the program has been used for patients recovering from strokes and brain injuries.
Medical experts emphasize that while gardening therapy is not a substitute for medical treatment, it can complement rehabilitation by reducing stress and promoting physical activity. The NHS has supported such programs in various hospitals across the UK.
