A QUIET area dedicated to the survivors of childhood abuse has been recreated alongside the lake at St Mary's Hospital.
The Seahorse Garden replaces the former garden created 17 years ago by local volunteers and representatives of Island childhood abuse charities led by Carmelle Ryan-Sammon, who hopes re-establishing the garden will encourage continuing recognition and support for current and future survivors of childhood abuse.
The garden has been designed by Healing Arts and features a large sculpture of a seahorse together with wooden seating, both of which have been carved from trees felled on the hospital site.
The walkway through the garden is lined with specialist trees which will flower in each of the four seasons.
It was officially opened by Isle of Wight NHS Trust chairman Eve Richardson, last week.
Guy Eades, Healing Arts director, said: "It is marvellous we have been able to re-establish the garden at St Mary's which was originally created by volunteers across the Island in 2000 in recognition of all persons who have survived childhood abuse.
"The new garden is there for anybody to visit and enjoy and is located in a sunny and tranquil space over the bridge and alongside the lake at St Mary's.
"We are also delighted that we have been able to secure the input of three Island businesses and artists to help us create this garden."