Rosann Ling

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
– World Health Organisation

There are approximately 1.1 million stroke survivors living in the UK and more than half of them are left dependent on others for everyday activities. My scheme responds to what’s currently missing in the healthcare system for people who have suffered from a stroke. It acts as the bridge between the NHS and home, and creates a community for stroke patients and their carers to share experiences and the journey of recovery.

Bringing in gardening and cooking, rehabilitation is carried out as an enjoyable, rewarding activity. Witnessing the growth of their plants reflects their own growth through the act of nurturing nature. The journey of planting a seedling to using the grown plants as ingredients for cooking helps to reconnect the senses and bridges the gap between the body and the mind.

My scheme becomes an ecosystem itself – a breathing organism that feeds on the air, water and nutrition provided by its users. It is ever-evolving, forming a continuous cycle of nurture, growth and hope.