Imagine being surrounded by nature, feeling the sun on your face, and hearing the soothing sounds of a peaceful garden. Unfortunately, this isn't the reality for the People We Support living at Livability Eastbourne. The current outside garden area is overgrown and full of weeds, with a pond that is not accessible, making it an unpleasant and uninviting place. We need your help to create a peaceful and sensory garden area for those living here to enjoy relaxation and calm.

The Project:
Our project aims to create a safe and welcoming space for the People We Support who live here, to socialise, relax and have a moment of peacefulness and calm. We want to involve the People We Support in the process from start to finish, supporting them to gain a sense of achievement and ownership of their garden area. The project also includes building an outside wooden room that will provide a quiet space for prayer, sensory engagement and private meetings when people need.

Garden Project Update:

The service here at Livability Eastbourne suffered the loss of a loved one when one of the people living here sadly passed away earlier this year.  The people living at the service, family members  and staff all shared in the mourning of a very special friend called Mim.  As this amazing person spent a lot of her summer time in the garden and she was very keen to see the outcomes of this project, all the People We Support and Staff at the service thought that it would be very good to dedicate the new garden cabin and sensory room in her memory.  For Mim xx

We have been so amazed by the response to this cause so far that we all would like to thank each and every one of you who have donated to this project.  We have had support from local businesses too including Tesco and ASDA stores, COUNTRYMANS who have begun to clear the old garden area ready for the project and have kindly offered to donate some of the Tyres for our feature flower wall!  We will update further as we get more local businesses on board with this project.

Expected Outcomes and Benefits:
Your contribution to this project will make a significant impact on the lives of the People We Support at Livability Eastbourne. It will create an engaging area where the People We Support can socialise and participate in group activities, and also have the choice to find somewhere with peace and quiet when they choose. The sensory areas will help tackle social isolation and lack of stimulation, improving everyones wellbeing, promoting inclusion and choice. By supporting this project, you will help promote independence and companionship, allowing the People We Support to invite friends or neighbors to join them in the garden area for tea or refreshments in a safe and pleasant space that they can be proud of.

What your donation is going towards
The total cost of the project is estimated to be £9,000.
This includes the cost of equipment such as lighting features, large outdoor safe sensory activity/items, wooden benches, large decorative plant pots, wooden tables, water features that are sensory and person safe, 60 ft hose pipe to enable people to water and maintain planted areas, wind chimes, and a bird feeding station. In addition, we will need to purchase materials such as compost for planters and plants and flowers. 

We plan to engage the People We Support and staff alongside local businesses who would also be supported by using their services for this project. A local gardener/landscaper will also be hired to manage the garden project.
It's important to note that this is an approximate cost, as prices may vary depending on the location and specific suppliers used. However, the due diligence done in costing up the project should give any potential donors confidence that their contributions will be used effectively and efficiently and most importantly will help to improve lives.

As seen in The Times
Read more about Livability Eastbourne here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/static/career-change-work-care-training-flexible-role