Inclusive Gardening Project at Hospital

Community Integrated Care is proud to have created a special community garden in Newton Community Hospital, which has generated hundreds of hours of volunteering and learning, thanks to our thriving corporate partnerships with Renova and Community Health Partnerships (CHP).

Our charity has formed a strategic partnership with Renova, a LIFTCo, providing healthcare estates for the NHS in Knowsley, St Helens, Halton and Warrington. As the biggest social care provider in these communities, we have come together to develop opportunities that create greater social impact and local inclusion, through maximising the benefits of Renova’s estates and creating life-changing opportunities for typically isolated groups.

At the heart of this collaboration is the creation of a unique inclusive gardening project, which has seen the people we support create a Rugby League World Cup 2021 inspired feature garden at the Newton Community Hospital. A charitable donation from Renova as part of this collaboration has been key to enabling this project, along with additional coordination and investment from CHP.

Community Integrated Care is the Official Social Care Partner of the tournament, leading the world’s first Inclusive Volunteering Project at a major event. By enabling a range of rewarding vocational opportunities, the inclusive gardening programme will become a focal point of the project.

With the tournament being one of the biggest global sporting events and several major games taking place in Newton’s home borough of Merseyside, the garden is not only creating life-changing opportunities for participants, but also bringing the excitement of the World Cup to the hospital. This project, led by the people we support, has given patients, visitors and NHS staff at Newton Community Hospital the chance to enjoy a new and improved garden space this summer.

Renova’s charitable support of Community Integrated Care has also enabled it to lead a wider inclusive gardening project across each of their local communities. The charity has created wheelchair accessible raised beds and a range of environmental and gardening resources to 21 of its care services within Renova’s communities – further amplifying the impact of this partnership.

With hundreds of people across Community Integrated Care’s services in the North West enjoying life-changing opportunities and special experiences through this project, it is truly a partnership to celebrate. Plans are in place to host a special opening event in the months ahead with special guests from the Rugby League World Cup 2021 to recognise the hard work and achievement that has made the project a reality.

John Hughes, Director of Partnerships and Communities at Community Integrated Care, said:

“Renova’s commitment to social impact and maximising the impact of their estates is inspirational. Through their support of our charity this year we have been able to develop this unique, life-changing project. The opportunities that it will offer to the people we support, through providing vocational and learning opportunities, are exceptional.

We are sure that the people who work at Newton Hospital and access its services will be equally delighted by this project. Our thanks also go to CHP, who have been instrumental in managing and delivering this opportunity.”

Simon Waters from Community Health Partnerships said:

“We are excited for the upgrade to the Newton Community Hospital garden and are confident that it make a big difference to the physical and mental health of staff, patients, and visitors.  Just as importantly, we are excited to continue our partnership working with Community Integrated Care and look forward to seeing the benefits created for staff, patients and visitors to Newton Hospital, and people supported by Community Integrated Care. We are confident that Renova & CHP will ensure this project creates tangible social value for our local community.”

Renova General Manager Ian Willett said:

“The recent challenges we have all faced have shown the huge value of quality outdoor space, so the improved garden at Newton Community Hospital will be a huge boost to patients, visitors and staff. This project is also a great chance to support the social and personal development of people who access social care, allowing them to learn a range of new skills and develop a love of gardening. We can’t wait to see this exciting project take shape over the coming weeks.”