Volunteers unveil new garden for residents in Weymouth
Customers from Westhaven Garden Independent Living Scheme (ILS) in Weymouth celebrated the opening of their new communal garden recently with an afternoon tea event.
The refurbishment was made possible by charity, the Aster Foundation, with support from painting and decorator contractor and Foundation supporter, the Bell Group, and a £1,500 grant from Dorset Council.
Customers enjoyed sandwiches and cake in the new garden which includes new timber planters built by Aster Group volunteers, a pergola donated by Jewson’s and installed by builders’ merchants, MPS, as well as new planting and a water feature.
Representatives from local housing association Aster Group which runs Westhaven Garden, MPS and Dorset Council joined customers to officially open the gardens.
A customer thrilled with the makeover said: “The whole project has been a beautiful experience and it is lovely to have something nice to go out in and enjoy - something to look forward to.”
Cameron Kinsella, Aster Foundation director, said: “Thank you to all those involved in this project. We’re really proud of the commitment and generosity of our people, supporters and beneficiaries who donated their time and resources to make a difference to the residents of Westhaven House.”
The project was part of the Aster Foundation’s work to connect communities with volunteers and improve wellbeing and connectivity for at least 900 isolated older people by 2030. Volunteers had pledged their time through the Foundation’s recent 1,000 Hours campaign which saw a total of 1,387 hours of volunteer time pledged by Aster Group colleagues and their customers.
It was funded by the Nature, Art and Wellbeing Community Fund, a collaborative of; National Lottery Community Fund via Stepping into Nature, National Academy for Social Prescribing Fund via Thriving Communities Nature Buddies and Contain Outbreak Management Fund via Dorset Council.
Back to latest blog listings
