11/11/2026
Retired teacher, Anne Smith from Strabane, has found a way to make a difference in her community. Since May 2025, she has been volunteering at the North West Cancer Centre, helping to transform and maintain the Centre’s garden and create a peaceful, welcoming space for patients, families and staff. Through her dedication, care and love of gardening, Anne is ensuring the outdoor space provides comfort, colour and a moment of calm for all who use it.
When Anne arrives at the North West Cancer Centre every fortnight, she comes armed with gardening gloves, a watering can, a keen eye for gardening and quiet determination. Her involvement began through a close friend, Ann Fallows, whose family had experienced treatment and care in the Cancer Centre. While spending time in the waiting areas, they noticed that the garden outside had become overgrown and overlooked.
Anne recalls,
“The garden looked as if it needed a little love and attention. It should be a place that lifts people’s spirits, a place of solace, so Ann and I became involved.”
After completing the necessary volunteer training, the two Annes set about bringing new life to the space. With support from charitable funds donated to enhance patient comfort, they secured a small grant to purchase pots, compost and bedding plants. Every pound was carefully accounted for, and soon the garden began to flourish.
Their vision was simple: to create year-round colour and interest for anyone using the Centre.
“We wanted people to see something beautiful in every season,” said Anne. “In spring there are snowdrops and daffodils, during the summer there are bright flowers, and throughout the year there is always something growing or changing.”
For Anne, the garden is far more than a collection of plants. It is a place of reflection, comfort and connection. Like many people in the North West, she has personal connections to cancer and has seen first-hand the importance of services close to home for local families. Anne said,
“Spending time here is very peaceful. Patients, relatives and staff often stop to chat. Sometimes people ask about the flowers or tell me they enjoy seeing the colours. Those little conversations mean a lot.”
One particular interaction changed Anne’s approach to planting. Initially favouring softer shades of blue and white, she was encouraged by a patient to embrace brighter colours.
“She told me, ‘We need bright colours,’ and she was absolutely right,” Anne said. “Since then, we’ve planted vibrant pinks, oranges and reds. They really brighten the space.”
The garden has become a welcome retreat for many. Relatives waiting for loved ones often spend time outdoors, while staff use the area for a few moments of calm away from busy clinical environments. Care has been taken to include plants with different scents and textures, such as lavender, helping to create a sensory experience that encourages people to pause and reflect.
Anne explained,
“I hope people feel a sense of peace when they come outside. The plants are cared for and nurtured, and I think people can feel that. Nature has a language all of its own.”
The work is ongoing. Every visit involves weeding, sweeping pathways, dead-heading flowers and feeding plants to keep them blooming for as long as possible. It is a labour of love, but one that Anne says brings its own rewards.
“You leave knowing you’ve made a difference. Even a small difference can mean a lot to someone who is having a difficult day.”
As the North West Cancer Centre celebrates ten years of caring for patients across the region, volunteers like Ann and Anne are playing an important role in helping create an environment that supports wellbeing alongside treatment.
For anyone considering volunteering, Anne has a simple message:
“It’s worthwhile. Whatever role you choose, you get a real sense of purpose and satisfaction from helping others. You know you’ve contributed something positive, and that’s a wonderful feeling.”
Through dedication, care and countless hours of work, the two Annes ensure that the North West Cancer Centre garden remains a place where hope, resilience and kindness continue to grow.
If you would like to become a volunteer please contact us on volunteering@westerntrust.hscni.net or 02871611155.
Find more information on volunteer registration and the roles available.