Love Island star Alex Bowen opens new courtyard at Leeds children's hospice

A new outdoor courtyard inspired by the villa from a popular reality TV show has officially opened at Martin House Children's Hospice in Wetherby.

Love Island star Alex Bowen performed the ribbon cutting at the special launch event on Saturday, July 4, unveiling the villa-inspired courtyard alongside his son, Abel.

The idea came from teenagers supported by the hospice who asked for a ‘Love Island-style’ space while helping design the newly refurbished teenage wing - The Lodge.

Featuring outdoor kitchen seating, festoon lighting and a firepit chillout area, the courtyard gives young people with life-shortening conditions a space to socialise, relax and enjoy greater independence during their stays at the hospice.

The teenagers who helped shape the design were in attendance and each received their own personalised Love Island-style water bottle.

Alex and his wife, Olivia Buckland, are the longest-lasting couple in the history of Love Island UK, having met on the show's second series in 2016.

The pair now have two children together.

Speaking after opening the courtyard, Alex said: “I feel like I’m at home - it's very Love Island-esque.

"It’s got beanbags, just like the ones where I first met and spoke to Liv.”

"The firepit certainly brought back memories of the villa – I kept expecting people to say they need to pull me aside for a chat.

“The courtyard lets teenagers be teenagers again.

"They get to experience so many things through Martin House Children’s Hospice, and I feel like it’s such important work to do.

“From the sensory rooms to the new pool they’ve had installed, they really go above and beyond here.

"Abel has been running around the outdoor park and absolutely loved it.”

The Lodge was completed as part of The BUILD – Martin House Children’s Hospice £21.9 million redevelopment project designed to safeguard the future of children’s palliative care across Yorkshire.

As well as the new courtyard, the teenage wing features a high-spec recording studio, interactive sensory area and gaming zone with accessible controls.

Each year, Martin House Children’s Hospice supports more than 550 children and young people with life-shortening conditions, and their families, across East, West and North Yorkshire.

Vicki Greensmith, Director of Clinical Services at Martin House Children’s Hospice, said: “We were incredibly excited to welcome Alex to Martin House Children’s Hospice.

"Throughout the design process, we worked closely with the teenagers who use our hospice to understand what was important to them, and a Love Island-style courtyard quickly became one of the most popular ideas.

“For many young people, Martin House Children’s Hospice is a home away from home.

"The Lodge gives them the freedom to simply be teenagers – whether that’s spending time with friends, recording music, gaming, or relaxing around the firepit.

"It was wonderful to introduce Alex to some of the young people whose ideas helped bring the courtyard to life and show him the difference spaces like this can make.”

For more information about Martin House Children’s Hospice, visit https://www.martinhouse.org.uk/