The club was launched at the end of April following a request from customers for equipment to help them maintain Aldwych House’s popular communal garden.
Launch day was a big hit amongst customers, allowing them to get out and do some gardening in the sun, as well as connect with their neighbours in other flats. The club now meet every week on a Thursday at 1pm.
Scheme Coordinator Gillian Law:
“A typical class will involve going out in the garden and tending to all the plants and hanging baskets, there’s tea and coffee for everyone too. it’s just about mixing and getting to know each other really, and getting outside in the fresh air during the Summer months.”
Everyone at Aldwych House spoke highly of the class, noting that the community feel and prioritisation of maintaining the area around their homes were both important factors.
Jim, one of Aldwych’s new customers, had this to say:
“I’ve only been in this scheme for a short time - since November – so this class gives me an opportunity to mix. I’m not from the area so it’s been a really good way to meet everyone.
I’d like to say too, it’s a nice outdoor space, a safe space, and this initiative encourages people to get out of their flats and get some fresh air, which is good for the health and good for people’s mental health too with all the socialising and mixing. Not to mention the fact that you’re getting your hands dirty!”
Some of Aldwych House’s beautiful potted plants.
Whilst the socialising and fresh air are two big aspects of the club, many customers also found themselves thoroughly enjoying the gardening itself.
Warren, a longer-term customer at Aldwych House, said:
“We currently have a lot of new seedlings that we’ve planted in pots that are looking very good now. We’ve got hanging baskets too which we tend too.
Gillian has been teaching us, and making it easier for us. Before, it was a bit of a battle to water the plants, but now we’ve got a tap right in the middle which makes watering much easier. We’ve also got a power point, so in the future we’re thinking of having some of our coffee mornings out in the garden.”
Aldwych House is a 24-strong group of flats located in South Shields, and is part of Karbon’s sheltered housing scheme.
As our customers get older and reach a point where living alone is no longer a suitable option, Karbon’s sheltered housing offer provides independent living in a supported environment. A haven where customers can feel safe and secure.
Clubs like Aldwych House’s gardening club are a key part of the scheme, where our customers can mingle, get to know each other and build a sense of community, belonging and pride in the place they live.
Community Connector Lindsey Porter:
“What we want from this scheme, and what we want from communities like the one at Aldwych House, is for people to want to take responsibility for where they live. If we have our customers saying ‘we want to do more’ and ‘we want to take part in the upkeep of our area’, then we will do what we can to put the measures in place where we can support them to do that.
These projects are always community-led, that was what was so lovely about Aldwych House, there was an existing group that have regular coffee mornings and raise money for charity. I felt it was a really good group to support.”
Aldwych House is just one of a number of sheltered housing areas we have across the North East, and through our neighbourhood budget we’ll look to provide these customers with fun clubs and occasions at the request of the customers themselves.
If you live in one of Karbon’s sheltered housing schemes and are interested in something like this, please contact foundations@karbonhomes.co.uk via email, or call 0191 223 8750.
The club was launched at the end of April following a request from customers for equipment to help them maintain Aldwych House’s popular communal garden.
Launch day was a big hit amongst customers, allowing them to get out and do some gardening in the sun, as well as connect with their neighbours in other flats. The club now meet every week on a Thursday at 1pm.
Scheme Coordinator Gillian Law:
“A typical class will involve going out in the garden and tending to all the plants and hanging baskets, there’s tea and coffee for everyone too. it’s just about mixing and getting to know each other really, and getting outside in the fresh air during the Summer months.”
Everyone at Aldwych House spoke highly of the class, noting that the community feel and prioritisation of maintaining the area around their homes were both important factors.
Jim, one of Aldwych’s new customers, had this to say:
“I’ve only been in this scheme for a short time - since November – so this class gives me an opportunity to mix. I’m not from the area so it’s been a really good way to meet everyone.
I’d like to say too, it’s a nice outdoor space, a safe space, and this initiative encourages people to get out of their flats and get some fresh air, which is good for the health and good for people’s mental health too with all the socialising and mixing. Not to mention the fact that you’re getting your hands dirty!”
Some of Aldwych House’s beautiful potted plants.
Whilst the socialising and fresh air are two big aspects of the club, many customers also found themselves thoroughly enjoying the gardening itself.
Warren, a longer-term customer at Aldwych House, said:
“We currently have a lot of new seedlings that we’ve planted in pots that are looking very good now. We’ve got hanging baskets too which we tend too.
Gillian has been teaching us, and making it easier for us. Before, it was a bit of a battle to water the plants, but now we’ve got a tap right in the middle which makes watering much easier. We’ve also got a power point, so in the future we’re thinking of having some of our coffee mornings out in the garden.”
Aldwych House is a 24-strong group of flats located in South Shields, and is part of Karbon’s sheltered housing scheme.
As our customers get older and reach a point where living alone is no longer a suitable option, Karbon’s sheltered housing offer provides independent living in a supported environment. A haven where customers can feel safe and secure.
Clubs like Aldwych House’s gardening club are a key part of the scheme, where our customers can mingle, get to know each other and build a sense of community, belonging and pride in the place they live.
Community Connector Lindsey Porter:
“What we want from this scheme, and what we want from communities like the one at Aldwych House, is for people to want to take responsibility for where they live. If we have our customers saying ‘we want to do more’ and ‘we want to take part in the upkeep of our area’, then we will do what we can to put the measures in place where we can support them to do that.
These projects are always community-led, that was what was so lovely about Aldwych House, there was an existing group that have regular coffee mornings and raise money for charity. I felt it was a really good group to support.”
Aldwych House is just one of a number of sheltered housing areas we have across the North East, and through our neighbourhood budget we’ll look to provide these customers with fun clubs and occasions at the request of the customers themselves.
If you live in one of Karbon’s sheltered housing schemes and are interested in something like this, please contact foundations@karbonhomes.co.uk via email, or call 0191 223 8750.
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