The garden at Healthworks’ wellbeing hub in Lemington, a Newcastle based health charity, has been transformed, with the help of 10 volunteers from local homebuilder Lovell.
The volunteers were from the North East region of Lovell, which is constructing 146 build-to-rent homes at Benwell Dene. It is working in partnership with Placefirst, the developer and long-term operator of the scheme.
The outdoor space at The Lemington Centre, which is just a few miles from the Benwell Dene development, had once been a sensory garden but over the years had become overgrown. Healthworks was keen to transform it into a space that would be attractive and easy to maintain.
Lovell volunteers visited the garden in advance to assess what was needed for the revamp and the company donated shrubs to plant in the garden. The team of volunteers then came with power tools to spend a day clearing and cutting back the overgrown areas and planting the donated shrubs.
“We were over the moon to have that type of help from Lovell, so thank you to them. It was fantastic and really, they have given us something we wouldn’t have been able to do ourselves because we wouldn’t have the funding or the people to do it. It has also prevented future problems occurring because of it being overgrown.”
Healthworks Senior Manager of Operations Rob Joyce
The area that was transformed is next to the entrance of the pre-school group and can be seen by anyone who comes to drop off their children, uses the services provided, or works there. Rob explained that it is now much more attractive and welcoming and offers the potential for it to be used more by everyone who visits.
“Healthworks is a very important charity locally, making an immense difference to people by helping them improve their health.
“They do this in varied and relevant ways whether people are dealing with a cancer diagnosis, wanting to eat more nutritious food or improve their fitness levels and mental health.
“As we are building homes in the area, we are part of this community and so were keen to support Healthworks. I’d like to thank all the volunteers who took part and achieved so much in such a short space of time. We hope everyone who visits the Lemington Centre enjoys the garden now.
“We’re looking to build on our relationship with Healthworks by supporting their team taking part in the Great North Run in September.”
Phil Jones, Director of Land and Partnerships at the North East region of Lovell
It believes that everyone should have the same opportunity to live in good health regardless of their challenges whether they are dealing with low income, unemployment or poor housing.
As well as the pre-school group, the Lemington Centre has a café, gym, a sports hall, a satellite branch of the Newburn Surgery, and space for local groups to meet and hold events. It is also a base for Healthworks staff and other health-related groups working in the area. The garden is not only for people visiting the centre for services or the café but is for anyone in the community to use.
To volunteer with Healthworks, email enquiries@hwn.org.uk.
