Lottery grant raises quality of lives for local sheltered housing residents
Residents at a sheltered housing scheme in Yateley will soon be able to enjoy the beauty of their very own gardens thanks to lottery grant funding.
Hedge Croft, one of Sentinel Housing Association’s sheltered housing schemes, has been awarded £7334 by Awards For All, part of the National Lottery’s grants scheme for local communities, to improve the gardens by building five brick raised planters especially for residents.
The sheltered housing scheme which consists of self-contained flats for older and less mobile people is currently home to 35 residents. Whilst there are current garden facilities available, many of the residents are unable to tend to the flowers and plants due to accessibility reasons.
The new planters, which are due to start being built in October 2007, will be on a raised level to enable the residents, many of whom are in wheelchairs or unable to bend down, to reach them. They will be made up of a range of large sensory plants, with pleasant smells, bright colours and a nice feel to them.
The planters will be built by Basingstoke-based firm Lotus Landscapes, who have who have worked closely with Hedge Croft Residents Association, to design them.
Sentinel Housing Association’s Sheltered Housing Team Leader at Hedge Croft, Pauline Holland, said: “Following feedback from residents, we decided to apply for the funding to improve their garden facilities and build some raised planters. Many of our residents are keen gardeners and would love to be able to get out in the fresh air more and do some gardening. We are delighted that we have received this funding which will enable us to improve the gardens for our residents. We are also very grateful to Lotus Landscapes who designed the new gardens free of charge and helped us to apply for the funding.
“Once the gardens are completed we will build a memorial for one of our late residents, Harry Bottriel, who originally came up with the idea of the planters and worked in close conjunction with Lotus Landscapes who prepared the design.”
Hedge Croft resident, Dorothy Gash, said: "Great news for all at Hedge Croft. It will give everyone the opportunity to help keep the gardens bright and cheerful. This will help to attract more birds and butterflies. We do get a good variety of small wildlife and they are a joy to watch. Next Spring will be the time everyone can look forward to."
Investing in our homes and neighbourhoods to provide good places to live.