Friends of Hartwood Paupers Cemetery

At Hartwood Paupers Cemetery, the Friends’ care for and commemorate those buried on the former Hartwood Hospital grounds. Their work focuses on restoring and maintaining the cemetery, repairing memorials, and protecting its historic landscape. They restore the ground, grow their own plants, manage bee hives to support biodiversity, and use a composting toilet to work sustainably. This work supports the mental health and wellbeing of those who attend, offering purpose, connection, and calm. They research the lives of those interred and share their stories to raise awareness of mental health, social history, and institutional care, ensuring dignity and remembrance for all.