Macmillan Cancer Support: The Nascent Shade Garden

This ornamental woodland garden features a small group of birch trees, interspersed with lime and stone sculptures and brass details. At first, these elements are intentionally spaced unevenly, reflecting the gaps and inequalities people experience in cancer care today. As visitors move through the garden, the spaces gradually close and the layout becomes more even. This transition symbolises Macmillan's mission to close the gap between the best and worst cancer experiences, so everyone can get the care they need, wherever they live.

Inspired by the idea that society thrives when we plant trees for future generations, the garden highlights the lasting impact of gifts in wills. Visitors are invited to place a seed token into the water feature as a quiet moment of reflection and hope. Just as a tree provides shade for years to come, gifts in wills help Macmillan do whatever it takes to support everyone living with cancer today and transform cancer care for those diagnosed in the future.

The garden is inspired by the proverb: 'A society grows strong when its people plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit.' It is designed to highlight the power of legacy giving.