This is a social responsibility project we worked on with the Horizon Resource Centre, a centre for disabled people in the Portsmouth area. The clients of the centre wanted a garden with colour, movement and texture. As most clients have a variety of disabilities from light to severe, we decided to design and build raised beds, which means that people can sit on the side of the beds or approach them if they are in a wheelchair. The area was left to grass with a path going around the garden for ease of access for more disabled clients.

 

The area near the windows of the centre is facing south, therefore we decided to create a gravel garden with a range of grasses, creepers and shrubs which would give year round enjoyment for the clients but also for the employees of the centre. Some of the beds are extensively planted with herbs to supply the kitchens with fresh produce.

 

The clients of the centre decided to have a water fountain in the middle of the garden and as the small area where we created the garden is in the shade, woodland plants were planted under the large trees.

 

The garden was built by David Mihell who looks after the clients there along with their gardening club and the planting day was run very successfully with a bunch of people who had been released from their company to help us plant up. We planted in Autumn 2009 and the garden was looking rather lush by spring 2010!