Marking VE Day with a garden tea party at St Mark's Hospital

To mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day on 8 May 2025, patients and staff at St Mark’s Hospital were treated to a special tea party in the hospital gardens.

Published 13 May 2025

The event featured a performance by the Rock Choir, featuring members from five different Rock Choirs from around the area, whose uplifting songs brought smiles to faces across the garden. We also had a special visit from the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, who cut a commemorative cake to mark the occasion. 

The celebration was organised by members of our multi-disciplinary team, reflecting their commitment to working collaboratively to create positive experiences for patients and staff. Events like this offer meaningful benefits for patients – they help improve wellbeing, boost morale, and encourage social interaction, all of which can help to support rehabilitation and recovery. By working together, the multi-disciplinary team ensures a holistic approach to patient care that also supports safe and timely discharges. Friends and family of our patients were also invited to share the special occasion with their loved ones and also provide a vital role in enabling holistic and safe care through a patients rehabilitation journey. 

Rhys Amos, Inpatient Therapy Service Manager, said: “What was special about today is how we have been able to achieve a sense of community between patients, staff and charities. Everyone was united towards the common goal of creating a wonderful experience for the patients, marking this important day and giving holistic patient centred care. So well done to the team – I am so proud of them and so grateful to work in such a caring, hard working team.”

The event was made possible thanks to the support of the League of Friends, who provided the Rock Choir performance and celebratory cake. The League of Friends have supported patients in St Mark’s Hospital for over 50 years, helping to provide equipment and an environment that enhances their comfort and care. They maintain our garden throughout the year which is enjoyed by patients, visitors and friends. The League of Friends landscape artist even created a centrepiece "80" out of flowers for our event. If you’d like to know more about the League of Friends, please email lofstmarks@gmail.com