A peaceful garden rooted in the memories of lost babies is being created by families and their children. 

The memory garden at Northcliffe Park, Shipley, is being brought to life by Bradford Sands - a stillbirth and neonatal death charity - and the people it has helped. 

Nestled away from the world, the garden has a special floral rainbow made out of heuchera, a rainproof shelter to sit, paths, walls and more planting.

Soon, the garden will enter its next stage - offering a love lock tree, entrance arch, sand pit and willow den for young visitors to enjoy.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Rainbow flower bed in the memory garden at Northcliffe ParkRainbow flower bed in the memory garden at Northcliffe Park (Image: Newsquest, Mike Simmonds)

There will also be bespoke planting beds for specialist plants.

It has been a therapeutic and hands-on experience for many of the families behind the project. 

For volunteer Kate Breen, her soul is healing through the act of digging, weeding and wall-building.

In 2016, Kate and her husband found out their daughter Isobel's heart had stopped two days before her due date. 

Throwing her heart and soul into the memory garden has helped her cope on difficult days. 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Kate, pictured at the memory garden at Northcliffe ParkKate, pictured at the memory garden at Northcliffe Park (Image: Newsquest, Mike Simmonds)

“There’s no one who’s ever come to the garden and said, ‘I wish I hadn’t come’,” Kate said.

“We have a good atmosphere and a laugh and we work together. We’ve got things for all abilities and sometimes it’s nice to sit and weed a patch and dig up the weeds. We come away and feel we’ve made an impact. 

“I feel really proud.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The many volunteers who have helped build the memory garden at Northcliffe Park so farThe many volunteers who have helped build the memory garden at Northcliffe Park so far (Image: Newsquest, Mike Simmonds)

“There is a place for going to support meetings and talking things through around tea and cake and there’s also a place in a lot of people’s grief journey when you want to do something a bit more active. If we’re really going to support families going through what we’ve been through we have to do both.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Some of the people who helped create the beautiful memory garden at Northcliffe Park Some of the people who helped create the beautiful memory garden at Northcliffe Park (Image: Newsquest, Mike Simmonds)

“Not everyone wants to go sit in a room and talk about the baby they really miss.”

Kate was among the volunteers who dreamt of creating a rainbow-themed flower bed. 

“It’s a really important image in the baby loss world,” she said.

The allotment memory garden will act as a neutral, safe space where families can meet or simply spend time with their thoughts.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Young people enjoying the memory garden at Northcliffe Park Young people enjoying the memory garden at Northcliffe Park (Image: Newsquest, Mike Simmonds)

 It will also allow Bradford Sands to have a calm space for holding remembrance events.

It is currently open by appointment only as the second phase of work begins.

Kate - who will be taking in a 5km wild swim - is fundraising towards the group’s £6,600 target. 

Anyone who wishes to donate or volunteer can visit the page via www.sands.enthuse.com/pf/kate-breen-5kswim