Volunteers build accessible garden beds

Volunteers from Umina Men's Shed have built "accessible garden beds" for frail and wheelchair-bound residents at aged care facilities on the Peninsula.

The garden beds at Peninsula Village's Jack Aldous House and Don Leggett House and Cooinda Village are accessible to all residents, regardless of their level of mobility.

The purpose built vegetable and herb gardens feature soil trays raised to waist height, negating the need for less able residents to bend down and allowing wheelchair bound residents to get involved in gardening.

Peninsula Villages' chief executive officer Mr Shane Neaves said that the new gardens would encourage less mobile residents to enjoy the outdoors during the warmer months, inspiring teamwork and a sense of responsibility.

"It's wonderful to see our residents getting their hands dirty and enjoying the sunshine as they work together on this community garden project," Mr Neaves said.

"This initiative allows our residents to reclaim a hobby they once loved and have not been able to experience since becoming less mobile.

"Gardening therapy has wonderful benefits for participants.

"Our gardeners can delight in new friendships, a sense of accomplishment, and of course, reap the rewards of fresh herbs and veggies.

"We would like to thank the volunteers from the Umina Men's Shed."

A local hardware store donated the materials for the project.

Media release, 18 Oct 2016

Katey Small, Brilliant Logic