A new magical island garden inspired by the Disney film Moana has opened at Little Havens children's hospice in Essex, providing a multisensory space for seriously ill children and their families.
Garden Features and Accessibility
The accessible garden, unveiled ahead of the live-action Moana movie release on July 10, features handcrafted houses, tropical plants, a water feature, and a bespoke wood carving of the character Heihei. It was designed so every child visiting the hospice can enjoy the space regardless of their physical needs.
Among the first to explore the island oasis was seven-year-old Nicol from Chelmsford, who has been supported by the charity since 2023. Her mother, Ivilina Dimitrova, said: “When I saw Nicol’s face, it made my day, as a parent that’s all you want, for her to be smiling and enjoying herself. Every little detail makes you forget where you are and enjoy the magical place of Moana.”
Family Impact
Dimitrova added: “Nicol really enjoyed visiting and we’re already making plans to go back during the summer holidays. She wants to enjoy a picnic and pretend we’re at the beach listening to the ocean. We love the Little Havens’ gardens, but this space is going to be so special for the children and parents too. It’s somewhere we can be ourselves and forget our worries for a moment.”
The design and build were led by Bristol-based luxury landscape gardeners Jake and Ethan Thorne, known online as The Green Genie Brothers. Jake Thorne said: “We've built some incredible spaces over the years, but nothing has meant more to us than this. Knowing that every stone, every light and every sound in this garden is going to bring something special for families to enjoy, that's a legacy we're incredibly proud of.”
Collaboration and Community Support
Thorne continued: “Working with Disney to bring Moana's world to life for the children at Little Havens has been a huge privilege. We wouldn't have been able to do it without the suppliers and contractors who have helped along the way — we've had people travel from all over the country to be part of this and enable us to pull this project off in such a short time. It's been a huge honour.”
The project is the latest from Disney's long-standing partnership with Together for Short Lives, a national charity supporting children's hospices. Chief executive officer at Little Havens, Louise Bryan, commented: “Every child who comes through our doors just wants to be like other children their age, even when their condition can make that really hard. They deserve moments of pure wonder, and this garden delivers exactly that.”
Gratitude and Future Enjoyment
Bryan added: “Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of The Walt Disney Company UK & Ireland, and the incredible artistry of The Green Genie Brothers, we now have a new space that our children and their families can enjoy for years to come — a place where imagination, fun and care come together. We are enormously grateful to everyone who made this possible. So often our families miss out on things, whether that's from having to spend time in hospital or facing accessibility challenges that make everyday experiences harder to reach. To have something so special and unique, designed just for them, is incredible.”
Vice president of marketing at The Walt Disney Company, Dan Radford, added: “Creating moments of joy for children and families facing serious illness is at the heart of Disney's social impact work. This garden is a wonderful reminder of how stories like Moana can be brought to life and provide a sense of escape, comfort, and togetherness for families when it's needed most.”
