New sensory garden for Bield’s Ochilview Court
Garden will increase opportunities for socialising and outdoor activities.
Green-fingered tenants at a West Lothian retirement development have welcomed a new herb garden.
Bield’s Ochilview Court in Armadale hopes to offer tenants increased opportunities to socialise in a communal area of the development and to take part in the outdoor activities that the garden offers.
The Conservation Volunteers (TCV), a community volunteering charity, with the goal of creating healthier, happier communities through gardening activities, assisted in building a bench space next to the new herb garden, providing a relaxed seating area for tenants to enjoy.
The volunteers from the local area, some of whom have mental or physical health issues, were supervised by the tenants as they planted 80 trees and shrubs. Tenants can now pick fruit and will be able to plant herbs, including parsley, rosemary and mint, in the spring that can be used for cooking.
The project has was grant funded and is one of several ventures that TCV has in the pipeline with Bield, at other developments across the country.
Lucy Graham, a Community Outreach Officer involved in the project, said:
“Tenants were asked from the outset what sort of trees they wanted planted, as well as their ideas about the layout of the garden, so that they would be actively participating in the planning process.
“We very much enjoyed working with everyone at Ochilview Court, and we are looking forward to our other upcoming projects with Bield.”
Mabelanne Fraser, Development Manager at Ochilview Court, said:
“Everyone is delighted with the new garden. The raised beds and seating area provide tenants with an area to socialise, enjoy the fresh air, and take in the outdoors.
“We are very pleased with the apple trees planted just outside that give the development a welcoming and friendly feel.
“We are all hugely grateful for the help in realising this wonderful addition to Ochilview.”
Pictured: Ann Doherty and Lesley Wilson.