The idea for the Caring Garden came from Krafty Koffee, which is a prototype of the Change Lab. The prototype aimed to link people in the community service users and carers with creative approaches to improve health and wellbeing. As a result, a steering group was set up made up of staff and carers to develop the Caring Garden Project. The group planned a green space that can be enjoyed by anyone at Fieldhead and provide a relaxing environment as well as the space to offer horticultural therapy.
The project provides allotments and landscaped garden areas on the Fieldhead site that can be enjoyed by service users, carers, staff, visitors and local community groups. The area includes a selection of fruit trees, a log cabin, garden shed, labyrinth maze and vegetable patches for Fieldhead services and community groups to grow their own vegetables and flowers. Flowers grown in the ‘Flower Power’ garden will then be given to wards.
As well as the gardens there is also a seating area where people can sit and enjoy the garden. The log cabin will also provide a social hub for everyone who uses the caring garden and can be used all year round adapting the usage to meet the season.