Little Havens, the sole children’s hospice in Essex, has introduced a stunning island garden inspired by the movie Moana. This unique space incorporates elements from the beloved film, creating an immersive and multi-sensory experience in collaboration with the viral landscaping team, The Green Genie Brothers, and The Walt Disney Company UK & Ireland.
The garden was revealed just before the highly-anticipated premiere of Disney’s live-action film Moana, which hit theaters on July 10. Among the first visitors was six-year-old Millie, who has been receiving support from Little Havens since 2021 after being diagnosed with Congenital Myopathy on her first birthday.
Millie’s mother, Jay Farr, expressed her joy at seeing Millie’s excitement at discovering the garden for the first time. The garden features iconic characters from the movie, including Tamatoa and his treasure, which particularly caught Millie’s attention.
The Pacific oasis-inspired garden combines sturdy landscaping with a tropical ambiance, featuring a bamboo entrance, handcrafted fale (houses), lush vegetation, natural stone elements, and a unique carving of Moana’s rooster friend Heihei. Noteworthy features include a pebble manta ray on the garden floor and a dynamic water feature that adds life and movement to the space.
Designed with accessibility in mind, the garden ensures that all children, regardless of their needs, can fully enjoy the experience. The project was led by The Green Genie Brothers, who brought their expertise and passion to create a special environment for families at Little Havens.
This initiative is part of Disney’s ongoing partnership with Together for Short Lives, a national charity that supports children’s hospices in the UK. Since 2017, The Walt Disney Company UK & Ireland has collaborated with the charity to bring joy to seriously ill children and their families, aiming to deliver one million magical moments of comfort by 2030.
The Moana-inspired garden is now open for children and families at Little Havens Hospice to enjoy during their visits and stays. It stands as a testament to Disney’s commitment to creating moments of happiness and togetherness for families facing difficult circumstances.