Children, young people and families supported by Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice are celebrating the official opening of an £100,000 sensory garden.
The new fully accessible garden, which hasa a jungle garden, a sensory area, new play equipment, a racetrack and more, has already become a popular space for the children and young people to enjoy while being cared for at the hospice in Durdar Road, Carlisle.
The project to transform the old garden from a tired and outdated space was largely funded and led by charity Greenfingers, which has worked along the hospice and contractors to make the vision a reality.
Financial contributions have also been made by HSBC, Cash for Kids, Cumbria Community Foundation, Kingmoor Oak Tree Club and the Duke of Lancaster’s 4th Battalion.
The hospice’s gardening volunteers and facilities team have also played a vital role in making the area look its best and have been supported by volunteering efforts from local organisations include The Cumberland, British Gas, HSBC, Caldew School and Carlisle College.
Julie Clayton, chief executive of the hospice, said: “Our new garden looks absolutely incredible and we cannot thank Greenfingers and all the other contributors enough for helping to transform this space. What you would’ve seen as we came out of COVID was a tired and largely concrete area which definitely looked like it could do with some love.
“Now we have bright, colourful and engaging garden which is being used regularly by the children and young people with complex health needs that we care for. It’s making a real difference and this safe and accessible space is another huge asset to what we can offer here at Jigsaw.”
Designed by Dalston-based Bruce Walker, of Westwood Landscape, and brought to life by the team at Ian Howe Landscapes, the Cumbrian native drew inspiration from the many colours of the Jigsaw logo, to create a number of different zones.
