Jocelyn Armitage - Gardener

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By Jocelyn Armitage

30 March

Jocelyn shares her experience caring for the plants and the residents of St. Joseph's Hospice in Hackney.

‘During a typical day, I try to get most essential jobs done in the morning. I do lots of watering first thing, before everyone else gets here, so that in the afternoon if someone wants to talk, at least the plants are still alive!

In the afternoons I do the proper gardening, such as cutting and feeding, and can sweep and talk. I love the fact that the garden has a purpose – it is therapeutic, and it is there so that people can spend as much time in a lovely environment as possible at this time in their life. It can look slightly untidy, but it is formal, and people can see the petunias and geraniums and see that it’s ok, cared for and in control. It has its cycle of growth and dying down.

Garden sculptures are a big part of my gardening experience. We were once given a three foot plastic goose with a dog collar and a name tag called George. Also, people sometimes ‘help’ and do the most disastrous things, such as cut down the shrubbery!

But I love the fact that the garden is touched by everyone who passes by. There are lots of corners, so people can come out here and sit with their back to the path so that they’re not bothered by others. Or they can sit somewhere else so that they can catch me, or others as they pass, for a chat.

Gardeners have a very special position. They are non medical and have low status, so we’re kind of ‘other’. This means that people come and talk to me when they come out for a cigarette and a cup of tea. It’s a privilege to be there, especially when someone’s about to die. If you have a taboo about death and don’t talk openly, it can be hard to know how to best honour a person’s life.

People tell me about life. They’re always telling me to slow down –
life isn’t just about rushing around.’

Finella Craig - Paediatric Nurse

Finella tells Eulogy about her work at Great Ormond Street helping children with life-limiting illnesses.

"Gardeners have a very special position. They are non-medical and have low status, so we're kind of 'other'. This means that people come and talk to me"

"If you have a taboo about death and don’t talk openly, it can be hard to know how to best honour a person’s life."

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