Sutton Coldfield Senses Garden Success
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Volunteers around the new herb garden
Birmingham City Council colleagues from Sutton Coldfield put their BEST foot forward recently to turn two disused patches of ground into accessible gardens for 31 physically disabled residents.
The staff team, based at the Constituency Office on Upper Clifton Road, used a Corporate staff empowerment scheme to bring a ray of sunshine to staff and residents at the Leonard Cheshire, Greenacres Home on Vesey Road.
The BEST Programme (which stands for Belief, Excellence, Success and Trust) challenges staff to strengthen teams, raise morale and improve the quality of service. The Sutton team put themselves through a Dragon’s Den-style challenge back in November, convincing the judging panel that their team building project was worthwhile. They walked away with the top financial award possible and used it to improve outdoor access for residents at the Vesey Road site.
Councillor Underwood and Councillor Cornish planting the herbs
BEST Team Leader, Helen Millington said, “We used the award to pump prime a much larger scheme. I’m delighted that, with the help of partners, we have been able to create two beautiful outdoor spaces for the residents of Greenacres to enjoy.”
Through the project, Leonard Cheshire Disabilities were able to attract funding from Sutton Coldfield Municipal Charities. Volunteer Co-ordinator Liz Jones said, “We are very grateful to the BEST Team for making this happen. With the improvements made to the orchard and quadrangle garden, the residents are looking forward to getting outside more often this summer.”
The volunteers at the end of a hard day!
The BEST Team used their £ 1000 award to purchase plants and shrubs for the new sensory garden, which they took a day away from their desks to plant on Friday 8th May. The team were supported by special guests, Councillor Anne Underwood and Councillor Maureen Cornish who planted two beds of herbs on the day.
The work took place under the direction of Landscape Architects Kate Watson and Jim Kelly of Canwell-based Pegasus Planning Group who designed the hard and soft landscaping for the project at cost. Plants were chosen for year round colour, texture and scent and the garden even includes a jungle corner with palms and tree ferns for an exotic flavour. For enquiries call Pegasus on 0121 308 9570 or e-mail kate.watson@ppg-llp.co.uk.
