RECONNECTING WITH
NATURE SPACES
Reconnecting with Nature Spaces is a project that aims to improve or bring nature to small specific outdoor spaces across Dorset to improve health, wellbeing, and access to nature. The project is specifically aimed at local residents with learning difficulties or dementia, helping them gain better access to, or use of, outdoor spaces.
The project has been funded by Dorset Council- Thank you for making these projects possible.
Background
St John’s Gardens in a small greenspace in the heart of Weymouth. It’s location makes it easily accessible for lots of people to visit as it is walking distance from the town centre, has free on road parking and bus stops nearby. The gardens are already visited by a range of people with a mix of college students, local residents and dog walkers. There was already a gardening group in situ, Green Fingers, who utilised the space at the back to grow vegetables. Although there were concerns of anti social behaviour being an issue in the gardens, the hope was that by improving the space more people would visit and adopt a pride of place.
St John’s Garden Before
Working Groups
Green Fingers: A group of volunteers working on gardening projects in the Weymouth area. They grow incredible edibles and learning new skills whilst making new community connections.
StAbility: A day care provision for adults with learning difficulties offering skills training and community interaction.
Deliverables
We created accessible gardening and growing space where members of Green Fingers and StAbility, and the wider public can grow delicious herbs and vegetables. We installed raised garden beds and potting tables so that gardening would be accessible to people of all abilities. The new benches provide a social area for people to relax, chat and enjoy the outside space. The existing plinths were painted by local artist Claire Nuttall with images of seasonal wildlife and quotes from the group members which has really brightened up the garden for all to enjoy.
St John’s Garden After
Thank you to all our partners and stakeholders involved in the planning and development of Park Community Garden.
Background
The prospective site for this project was a disused hardstanding area behind Osprey Leisure Centre. The space was leased by Muntsy’s Day service, who already deliver activities to their users inside the leisure centre. The space is large and secure and was completely unused for any outdoors activity.
Osprey Quay Before
Working Groups
Muntsy’s: A day service for adults with learning disabilities or additional needs who wish to develop their independence.
Deliverables
The Osprey Quay was completely transformed into a thriving gardening hub for Muntsy’s Day Service. Polytunnels and raised garden beds were installed giving all users the ability to get involved with gardening. This project will help to develop skills and confidence to the day users. We also installed benches in front of a newly painted wall which brightens up the area and gives the users a safe and enjoyable space to enjoy the outdoors and socialise. Muntsy’s Day Service plan to open the garden up to different community events for example an outdoor cinema.
Osprey Quay After
Thank you to our partners for their involvement in the planning and development of the Thyme Out Community Garden.
Background
The Queen Mother Garden is a small, peaceful garden with beautiful landscape views. It was originally created in 1980 in honour of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and was comprised of a lawned area, planted borders and a single bench on the pathway. It is a much loved garden of the local community hidden beside the Castle Hill Green, however the front had become overgrown which restricted the stunning views available.
Queen Mother Garden Before
Deliverables
This project was a collaboration with Shaftesbury Town Council to improve a peaceful space in the heart of Shaftesbury. Two new friendship benches were installed which were accessible for people of all abilities to enjoy the garden. The L-shaped bench at the end of the walkway enables visitors to face each other whilst they chat, and also ensures wheel-chair users are part of the conversation. Volunteers from Shaftesbury in Bloom and Shaftesbury Snowdrops were involved with replanting the border which included flowers that change with the seasons, whilst students from Shaftesbury School created a bug hotel to increase insect biodiversity in the garden. A bespoke information board about the plants was installed at the entrance to the garden, which will be changed throughout the year to showcase the different species, it also incorporates a QR code so information is digitally available.
Queen Mother Garden – Shaftesbury TC (shaftesbury-tc.gov.uk)
Queen Mother Garden After
Thank you to all our partners and stakeholders involved in the planning and development of the Queen Mother Garden.
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