Top Model to launch designer garden to support people in emotional distress

Date: Friday 4th July 2008
Contact: Claire Duncan
Phone: +44 (0)20 8394 8345
Email: c.duncan@samaritans.org  
Out of hours press phone: +44 (0)7943 809162

 

Samaritans debuts ‘Breathing Space…Thinking Place’ at RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

Samaritans is teaming up with one of its former callers and now successful international model Racheal Baughan when it makes its horticultural debut with the ‘Breathing Space…Thinking Place’ garden at this year’s RHS Hampton Court Flower Show which runs from 8-13th July.

Miss Baughan who battles with Body Dismorphia Disorder will officially open Samaritans garden at a photocall at 10.15am on Monday 7th July when she turns on the bespoke water feature at the garden’s site D8.

 

Racheal Baughan explains how Samaritans supported her through a dark time in her life: “I would phone Samaritans as a kind of release when I was having an attack and felt like self-harming or taking my own life. Samaritans has literally saved my life on more than one occasion. Talking to someone over the phone who didn’t judge me or tell me that my fears were unfounded was a way of releasing the pain I was feeling inside.”

Racheal goes on to say: “I am delighted to be opening ‘Breathing Space…Thinking Place’. The garden is a fantastic way for Samaritans to raise awareness of its 24 hour a day emotional support service and reach out to more people who might need emotional support.”

 

'Breathing Space…Thinking Place’ has been created by designers Catherine Kenny and Wendy Allen and is the first ever garden to be auctioned off as one package. People can bid online for the garden at www.buyoncegivetwice.co.uk.

The successful bidder can opt to have the garden recreated by the designers and their professional contracting team at a new site of their choice. All profits from the auction will be donated to Samaritans to help continue its 24 hour confidential service.[i]

 

 

‘Breathing Space…Thinking Place’ reflects the ethos of Samaritans, where an individual is given space and time, in confidence and without judgement, in which to explore their feelings.

The three distinct areas of the garden symbolise a journey which begins by crossing a slate-paved area filled with plants with strong structure, texture and colour, representing hectic and sometimes difficult paths through life. Limestone paving leads to the central section where a curved steel archway ends in two seats positioned ‘face to face’ over reflective pools filled with fragrant water lilies. The final part of the journey is all about calm reflection. Stepping from hard surfaces, the lush grass underfoot encourages relaxation and a restful atmosphere is created by soft, hazy planting, slender white birch trees and gently running water. The hidden ivy-clad seat encourages the visitor to linger and reflect.”

Tickets for the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show are on sale now and are available by calling 0870 906 3791 or visiting www.rhs.org.uk

 

[i] Charities Trust handles payments and the disbursements of proceeds to charities. A maximum of 4% of the gross payment is levied (including credit card changes). 90% of net proceeds are paid to the designated charity; 10% towards the running cost of http://www.buyoncegivetwice.co.uk

 

 

-ends-

 

Notes to editors

It is the aim of Samaritans to make emotional health a mainstream issue.  Samaritans' vision is for a society where fewer people die by suicide because people are able to share feelings of emotional distress openly without fear of being judged.  Samaritans believes that offering people the opportunity to be listened to in confidence, and accepted without prejudice, can alleviate despair and suicidal feelings.

Samaritans is a registered charity, founded in 1953, which offers 24-hour confidential emotional support to anyone in emotional distress.  The service is offered by 16,800 trained volunteers and is entirely dependent on voluntary support.  Across the UK, you can call Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 (1850 60 90 90 in the Republic of Ireland) email jo@samaritans.org, write to Samaritans at Chris, PO Box 9090, Stirling, FK8 2SA, or if you are deaf or hard of hearing use the single national minicom number 08457 90 91 92. Log on to www.samaritans.org for more information. Calls from BT will be charged at up to 4 pence per minute at all times. A call set-up fee of 3 pence per minute applies to calls from residential lines. Mobile and other providers' charges may vary.