Wardley Gate’s Garden Transformation Has Officially Begun!
Our partnership with HenPower and Equal Arts has created so many fulfilling activities for our residents as well as involving our local primary school children.
Over the last few months Wardley Gate has been supported in the transformation of our underused garden space to create a pleasant community area where our residents and their visitors can enjoy spending time in.
Equal Arts’ Rael visited the Home each week through-out the summer to support our residents in gardening sessions to ensure they were involved in the transformation process.
She said: “Growing Up, Growing Old was all about intergenerational, creative and informal sessions, old and young could take part in and enjoy. Hearing the group sharing stories and advice during the sessions has been lovely as has seeing how their creations have developed each week, resulting in a fantastic space they can all have real pride in.”
The garden now has raised beds, pots, a brand-new shed and allotment following months of hard work by our residents as well as textiles artists and horticulturalists.
Garden Opening Celebration!
The garden was official at a celebratory afternoon where our resident, 103-year-old Doris, a former dancer who regales people with tales of her time on stage with Fred Astaire.
Doris said: “Every Thursday we get together to, take part and talk. I enjoy being around people and how sociable it is.”
Growing Up, Growing Old was made possible with funding from the National Lottery Community Fund and Gateshead Council Thrive Fund. It combines hen-keeping and creative activities to improve wellbeing and reduce loneliness.
Lynne, Wardley Gate’s Activities Co-ordinator said:
“This project and being part of HenPower is just fantastic. We’ve got nine hens which we hatched, all named after our District Nurses! Before, the garden was underused and needed some TLC, it wasn’t practical. It needed some attention and its great residents have had a hand in creating this space.”
We’ve been trying different creative and visual arts each week, with an outdoor gallery for residents’ work, the shed and raised beds. Everyone has thoroughly enjoyed themselves.”
Further activities and transformations for our garden area will be taking place over the next six months – so watch this space!
