Deerswood Lodge care home in Crawley has hosted a tree-planting day during National Tree Week [26 November – 4 December] as part of its ‘rewilding project’.
Local dignitaries and guests were invited to the home on Tuesday 29 November to join residents, families and staff to plant hedgerow trees and a mini orchard area
dedicated to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
There were 17 tree planters in total, including the leader of Crawley Borough Council, councilor Michael Jones, Ifield councilor Sandra Buck, Jess ? from West Sussex branch of the Alzheimers Society, staff, residents, relatives and Directors of Shaw Healthcare.
This outside space marks the fourth area in Deerswood’s transformational journey and when complete will include a wildflower meadow, prairie border, vegetable patch and sensory trail as well as the mini orchard.
Important donations to the project have been received A local garden, Sussex Prairie Gardens and local restaurant ‘The Chef Thai’.
Other parts of the project include the ‘kindness room’, which was completed in June and provides residents and families with a home cinema experience and a link to the gardens; the ‘wellness room’, an area for hairdressers, pampering, doctor and nurse visits; and the ‘happiness café’ – which allows for coffee mornings and celebrations.
Russell Brown, chief executive of Shaw healthcare - who also planted a tree on the day - said: “What a fantastic day we’ve had at Deerswood Lodge in Crawley. The work that Brian and Tina Baker, along with the ‘Friends of Deerswood’ community group, have put into this fantastic project is truly remarkable. I know the staff and residents here are really grateful for their support and creative ideas – and we really can’t thank them enough.”
Brian Baker, a volunteer and ‘Friends of Deerswood’ community group member who has been spearheading the project, added: “At its core, this project has been all about designing an environment that promotes Shaw healthcare’s key values; wellness, happiness, and kindness. We’ve focused on activities and pastimes to promote healthy minds, well-being, creativity and enjoyment, and it’s been a real joy to see all that come to light.
“Not only is this a great environment for the residents of Deerswood, it also provides opportunities for schools and local community groups to explore and enjoy.”
Deerswood Lodge is a modern care facility made up of nine self-contained living units that opened in 2006. It caters for a wide range of care purposes, including dementia care, respite and residential care, as well as specialising in physical disabilities and sensory impairments.
