Swizzles grant to transform Macmillan unit garden into sanctuary

Tameside & Glossop NHS Charity has been named one of just seven national winners of The Great Community Refresh, a UK-wide competition run by iconic sweet maker Swizzels to celebrate 70 years of its well-loved Refreshers brand.

The initiative, which drew more than 1,500 entries from individuals, charities, and community groups across the country, aimed to fund projects that rejuvenate shared spaces and bring people together. Among the winners was Tameside & Glossop NHS Charity, which supports patients, families and staff across Tameside Hospital and wider community services.

Thanks to the grant, the charity has transformed the garden at the Tameside Macmillan Unit, a valued haven used by patients undergoing cancer treatment and their loved ones. Once in need of significant care, the garden has now been revitalised into a calming, uplifting space offering moments of reflection and peace during some of life’s most challenging times.

The refresh includes new seating areas, vibrant flowers, and sensory planting designed to create a welcoming sanctuary for patients, families, and staff. The garden now provides a place to unwind, connect with nature, and find comfort in a supportive environment.

Emily Whelan, Charity Manager at Tameside & Glossop NHS Charity, said the award will have a lasting impact: “We’re absolutely delighted to be one of the winners of The Great Community Refresh and so grateful to Swizzels for their support – this funding means so much to us and the people we support.

“For many of our patients, the Macmillan Unit garden is more than just an outdoor space, it’s somewhere to breathe, reflect, and find moments of calm during what is often one of the hardest times in their lives. Before the refresh, the garden wasn’t living up to its potential, but this grant has allowed us to transform it into a beautiful, welcoming sanctuary filled with vibrant flowers, sensory planting, and comfortable seating.

“For patients spending long hours here, for families waiting anxiously, and for staff supporting them every day, this change has made a real, lasting difference. We’re so grateful to Swizzels for helping us create a space that truly reflects the compassion and care at the heart of our community.”

The Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust serves around 250,000 people across a diverse and vibrant local population. Through its fundraising and community initiatives, the charity supports enhancements that go beyond NHS budgets, from specialist equipment and mental health programmes to staff wellbeing projects and care packages.

Swizzels, which has been based in the community for nearly a century, said the project resonated strongly with the judges.

Sarah-Louise Heslop, Head of Marketing at Swizzels, said: “Tameside & Glossop NHS Charity’s entry really touched us. The work they do to support patients and families is incredible, and their vision to transform the Macmillan Unit garden into a brighter, more uplifting space truly embodies the spirit of The Great Community Refresh.

“As a business rooted in this community for nearly 100 years, we’re especially proud to support a project so close to home and to help create a sanctuary that will bring comfort and positivity to people during such difficult times.”

The Great Community Refresh has shone a spotlight on inspirational community efforts from Belfast to Dorset, with winning projects including wellbeing gardens, inclusive activity hubs and shared social spaces. Each aims to bring people together, foster local pride, and improve the lives of those who rely on these vital community areas.