Lemington Centre garden brought back to life

A Newcastle-based health charity has seen its wellbeing garden transformed thanks to help from a local homebuilder.

Ten volunteers from Lovell, which is building 146 homes at nearby Benwell Dene in partnership with Placefirst, spent a day revamping the garden at Healthworks’ Lemington Centre. 

The space, once a sensory garden, had become overgrown and difficult to maintain.

Lovell assessed the site in advance, donated shrubs and returned with tools to clear and replant the area, creating a more attractive entrance for families and staff.

Phil Jones, director of land and partnerships at the North East region of Lovell, said: “Healthworks is a very important charity locally, making an immense difference to people by helping them improve their health.

“They do this in varied and relevant ways whether people are dealing with a cancer diagnosis, wanting to eat more nutritious food or improve their fitness levels and mental health.

“As we are building homes in the area, we are part of this community and so were keen to support Healthworks. 

“I’d like to thank all the volunteers who took part and achieved so much in such a short space of time. 

“We hope everyone who visits the Lemington Centre enjoys the garden now.

“We’re looking to build on our relationship with Healthworks by supporting their team taking part in the Great North Run in September.”

The Lemington Centre is a hub for health and wellbeing services, housing a pre-school, café, gym, sports hall and surgery branch, alongside community meeting space and offices for local health organisations.

Now celebrating its 30th year, Healthworks supports people of all ages to live in good health, regardless of their background, and the improved garden is open to the wider community to enjoy.

Rob Joyce, senior manager of operations at Healthworks, added: “We were over the moon to have that type of help from Lovell, so thank you to them. 

“It was fantastic and really, they have given us something we wouldn’t have been able to do ourselves because we wouldn’t have the funding or the people to do it. 

“It has also prevented future problems occurring because of it being overgrown.”

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