DIY SOS-style appeal launched to transform former care home garden

The six tenants and staff of Westlodge supported living home in Frederick Gardens, Penshaw, have been shielding during lockdown, meaning they’re missing regular visits from family members.

With people who are shielding unable to go for daily walks, the garden at the house has become even more valuable – but it’s in need of some of TLC.

After asking the tenants what they’d like to see in the garden, Dawn Kelly from Shiney Row, whose daughter Catherine, 27, lives at the home, has launched an appeal to transform the area.

Dawn, and her partner John Smith, are hoping to raise £15,000 which would pay to: install a hot tub for hydrotherapy for tenants, who all have different disabilities; to build a greenhouse; to install decking and make a ramp more accessible and remove trees to open up the space.

Dawn, who’s been liaising with an occupational therapist to identify what would work best for the tenants’ needs, said: “We’d been doing Catherine’s bedroom before lockdown and I looked out at the garden and it looked a bit sad.

“It’s not a bad garden, but the space could be utilised better. I asked the staff and they said they were trying to get lottery funding and had approached tradespeople about quotes, but weren’t really hearing back from people.

“Then lockdown happened and they all had to shield. I know it’s difficult times for everybody at the minute, but for these guys it’s all their lives and nothing happens for them unless someone does it for them, so we decided to do something in the style of DIY SOS.”

In a matter of weeks, the appeal has already received donations of time and labour, as well as £1,500 from the general public and £1,300 from Westlodge.

Dawn, who runs Mia Interiors, said: “We put a post on Facebook and had a really good response, especially with people offering to help.

“So we know where we are with the labour side, but it’s more the costings. We’ve had some help with the hot tub, but even with that the hot tub alone will cost £8,000.”

Dawn would usually be able to see Catherine, who has autism as well as learning difficulties, regularly but has been unable to do so due to shielding. Instead, the family has been relying on daily Skype chats.

“Catherine has been at Westlodge for five years and from day one the staff have been brilliant,” she explained. “Before she went there, I would struggle to take her out on my own because of her behaviour. It took a year of going out with staff coming with us, but now I can take her to restaurants, anywhere, on my own.

“She’s such a lively character and she’s managed to get her head round all this. I worried about shielding, but they’ve all coped so well.”

Search “Westlodge Garden Project DIY SOS” on Facebook to show your support or visit the Go Fund Me here.

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