YOUNGSTERS visiting a Dorset children's hospice are being given a roar-some welcome, following a makeover of the front garden.

Julia's House in Corfe Mullen has officially opened its new Merlin's Magic Space, after undergoing a Jurassic-themed transformation.

Situated at the entrance to the charity’s hospice building, the garden has been transformed into a fun, colourful space with dinosaurs waiting amongst the plants to welcome children, dinosaur eggs dotted throughout and a rainbow sculpture making a colourful centre piece. Coloured lights brighten up the garden when the sun goes down.

The transformation was masterminded by Merlin’s Magic Wand and includes a new boundary fence with large wooden dinosaurs stomping towards the entrance, which was designed with the purpose of making the hospice more visible from the road and to put a smile on the faces of children when they arrive. Plants for the garden were funded by donations from MSP Capital, Nationwide and J.P. Morgan.

Louise McKenna, Lead Nurse at Julia’s House, said: “It’s wonderful to see the smiles on the children’s faces as they arrive at the hospice and see the dinosaurs. It’s really brought the garden to life and made it a vibrant, engaging space for them to enjoy.”

Among the guests at the opening were staff from Merlin’s Magic Wand and members of the hardworking team who gave their time to create the garden.

Elly Turner from charity Merlin’s Magic Wand said: “We are a long-time supporter of Julia’s House and when the opportunity of transforming the external entrance area presented itself, we couldn't wait to turn this into a Merlin’s Magic Spaces project; these projects are specifically designed to transform areas such as gardens, play areas and treatment rooms into fun, magical spaces.”

Dedicated to supporting the families of children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions in Dorset and Wiltshire, Julia’s House provides bespoke care for every family it supports - at their home, in the community or at one of the charity’s two hospices in Corfe Mullen and Devizes.