Somewhere for everyone
GARDEN IS HELPING THE ELDERLY TO CONTINUE TO BLOOM
A PROJECT to create an accessible community garden for people with mobility difficulties or dementia has taken root - thanks to funding from housing provider Your Homes Newcastle (YHN).
The Scotswood Garden secured £10,000 of YHN’s new Community Investment Funding pot to help create an accessible garden to enable more people with restricted mobility or dementia to enjoy being outdoors in a safe, relaxing environment.
The new accessible garden officially opened to visitors last month with a celebration event to welcome residents from some of YHN’s sheltered housing schemes.
Residents enjoyed a first glimpse of the garden, which includes a levelled walkway, composting toilet, raised beds and a covered seating area - all of which create a space that can be more easily enjoyed by older people.
Doris Mack, a resident at Wansbeck House in Lemington, said: “I had a wonderful time and everyone was lovely and very welcoming.
“It is really important to have this kind of thing because it got me out of the house. I would have stayed in and sat by myself if I had not gone. It is a treat for us elderly people.”
Robert Hunter, who lives at Bamburgh House in Westerhope, said: “I like the way the garden is set out with the new covered in area and raised beds for us slightly older people. I used to be quite isolated and by visiting the garden I have met new people and volunteers.”
YHN’s Community Investment Fund aims to building stronger communities, strengthen community partnerships and reduce social isolation, focusing in particular on the communities where the housing provider has homes.
The initiative sees charities and projects from across the city bid for a share of the £100,000 annual funding pot.
In 2018 13 projects successfully applied for funding - including a garden makeover project in Elswick, a women’s football and fitness project and a Men’s Pie Club aiming to reduce social isolation across the city.
Matthew Foreman, director of Customer Services at Your Homes Newcastle, said: “This is the first year of our Community Investment Fund, which aims to strengthen the great work of the projects which are already working in the communities where we have homes, helping give them an opportunity to reach a wider audience and engage more people.
“It is fantastic to see the projects YHN has funded getting under way and the benefits they bring.
“I was delighted to attend the garden opening and it was clear to see how much our residents enjoyed the opportunity to socialise and exercise in a fantastic space which is adapted to their needs.”
Karen Dobson, CEO of Scotswood Garden, said: “Thanks to the hard work of our volunteers and the funding from YHN and other partner organisations, we now have a fabulous, accessible garden which gives people with mobility issues or dementia the chance to enjoy the health benefits of being outdoors in a safe and welcoming space.
“It was fantastic to see so many YHN customers enjoying our opening event and we look forward to welcoming them again as the weather warms up and the garden comes fully into bloom.”