A memorial garden for families affected by baby loss in Glasgow has officially opened to the public.
Designed by charity SiMBA, the garden is based within the walls of the Provan Hall in the city’s Easterhouse offering families and individuals a place to grieve privately and safely.
Vanessa Rhazali, head of fundraising and communications at SiMBA, said: "We hope local families will come to the garden and find it a tranquil, peaceful and private place to honour their babies."
The garden features a Tree of Tranquillity; a life-sized sculpture made from copper, where each leaf is engraved with a personal message to honour a child who has passed, as well as a colourful SiMBA bench to give attendees a place to sit and reflect.
The garden officially opened on Saturday, May 11 after work began back in January this year.
Parents who will be using the garden attended the opening ceremony, along with SiMBA staff and suppliers involved in making and designing the space.
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Speaking on the special day, Vanessa said: "It was such a beautiful day, it was amazing.
"Those who came along were so delighted to see the landscape and the care taken. It was really well received.
"Some parents came into the space and took their time to walk around the tree, while others watched from afar and checked out the tree after people had left.
"People were emotional and it was just so poignant."
The space was designed in coordination with All-Nu Landscapes, who did the work for free. A range of suppliers including MKM Airdrie Building Supplies, Global Stone, UltraScape, and MKM Tool Hire Glasgow, also agreed to donate thousands of pounds of material to help create the space.
Colin Brown, director of All-Nu Landscapes, said: "It was an absolute pleasure to be part of this project. Between our services and the support from our merchants and suppliers, we were able to deliver a project that brings so much happiness and joy to so many people.
"It was amazing to be invited along on Saturday to see the unveiling. To actually see parents wandering around the tree, looking at the leaves and the new garden, made all the horrible weather during the build worth it.
"We received some amazing feedback, it was totally heartwarming. We hope this garden brings joy to as many people as possible for a long time to come."
The decision to create the garden came after the former Tree of Tranquillity in Glasgow was removed in December 2020 due to vandalism.
The new tree has now been fitted with security measures, such as a steel halo, to protect anyone from climbing on or damaging it.
Vanessa added: "This is the end of a long road, people have been waiting four years for this."
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On Saturday, attendees visited the site where the previous tree once stood and placed a temporary flower bouquet while the charity and parents deliberated on how to commemorate the space for future use as ashes had been scattered there once it was erected in 2015.
The charity have set up a Just Giving page for a tree preservation fund. You can donate via the page HERE
Anyone can visit the garden during Provan Hall's opening times, which can be found HERE
To find out more about SiMBA, click HERE
You can also vote for SiMBA at the Scottish Charity Awards 2024 HERE
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