Work Begins on Wellbeing Garden at Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease

A New Chapter for Patient Care in Leeds

Construction has officially started on a dedicated wellbeing garden at the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in Leeds. The £6.8 million facility, located at Seacroft Hospital, is named in honour of the late Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow and will provide specialised care and support for patients, their families, and staff.

A spokesperson from Leeds NHS Teaching Hospitals explained that the outdoor space will “extend the centre’s therapeutic focus, creating calm, welcoming spaces that offer moments of connection and reflection.”

Features of the Wellbeing Garden

The garden will hold deep symbolic value for the community. It will include:

• A sapling grown from a seed taken from the historic Sycamore Gap tree, felled in 2023.

• Handprints cast in concrete from Burrow’s wife and children, making the garden a living tribute to his legacy.

Craige Richardson, Director of Estates and Facilities at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, said: “We’re really excited to mark the beginning of the planting works. With more than 5,000 plants, and a limited time in which to plant, this will be a busy time as we countdown to the centre opening to patients this autumn.”

Rob Burrow’s Legacy

Rob Burrow, who passed away in June 2024 at the age of 41 following his 2019 MND diagnosis, had long championed the vision behind the centre. Before his passing, he described it as a “beacon of hope and support” and shared: “My dream is that every person who walks through these doors feels supported, understood, and never alone. This centre is for all of us, our shared sanctuary.”

A Design Grounded in Patient Needs

The garden has been designed by re-form, a landscape architecture firm. A company spokesperson noted: “With the specialist nature of this facility, we worked with the clinical teams and MND patients to gain a detailed understanding of the needs of all those who will use the outdoor spaces at the centre – including patients, carers and families of those affected by the disease.”

Looking Ahead

With completion scheduled for autumn 2025, the wellbeing garden will stand as both a place of healing and a tribute to Burrow’s enduring impact. Beyond its greenery, the project highlights how healthcare facilities can integrate thoughtful design to promote wellbeing, reflection, and community connection.

Author: Din Kumar