Client: Ribble Valley Homes
Value: £30,000
Showley Court seating area is located within Showley Court sheltered housing, which provides warden supported living for over 50’s. This is managed by Ribble Valley Homes, part of the Onward Homes Group.
Established in April 2016, Onward Homes (formerly known as Symphony Housing Group) brought together five housing associations – Contour Homes, Liverpool Housing Trust, Hyndburn Homes, Peak Valley Housing Association and Ribble Valley Homes – under one simple group structure.
Ribble Valley Homes worked with us to design and build the seating area for residents to use and enjoy. Raised beds enable residents to touch and smell the herbs planted and also partake in gardening if they so feel. The benefits of gardening are well known and listed below:
Designing a space for elderly people needs to consider surfaces, smooth and without trips, access to plants and places to rest. Coupled with space between seating for wheelchairs the design needs to function for all users. Lighting is also important for evening use and access. The raised pergola gives a higher level planting and, in time, shade from the Lancashire sun!
Showley Court’s stone surfacing comprises red asphalt and a resin bound golden stone. This is applied to a base coat tarmac layer and troweled onto the surface giving a decorative and smooth finish.
The seating area provides a warm and durable point to chat and relax where the surrounding trees will provide shade and also help to dry the wet lawn area. The variety of tree selected were Amelanchier, great foliage, fruit and some fantastic colour, click here for more details!
Speaking to one of the residents on completion of the scheme Sheila said ‘The lads worked so hard, did a great job and we love the space it has created, even the sun has now arrived to provide us with that bit of warmth. I think we will have a coffee morning and cake sale soon, it’s perfect for it!’
