Improvements made to communal garden used by vulnerable families

Three Rivers District Council (TRDC) officers and its partners recently worked to improve the Lincoln Drive Garden Natural Space in South Oxhey.

The private building is used to house up to 38 vulnerable families temporarily until permanent accommodation is found. It’s owned by the council and managed by Watford Community Housing.

The council’s housing team and Play Rangers, who provide council-funded summer activities for children in the area, volunteered to paint a mural of a flower meadow. Caloo, a play area installation company, completed the revamp works, which includes new play equipment, willow tunnels, bug hotels and a storytelling area.

Any leftover materials, such as plywood, willow, plant pots and paint, will be re-used for future art-related activities and to fill in the bug hotels.

New Hope, a Watford-based charity that works with people who are experiencing homelessness, gave families a planting session and will be providing a monthly engagement session around the garden which will focus on art, planting and education.

Carpenders Park Garden Centre and Plant Nursery supplied all the plants and compost for the garden and donated tools and gloves for the planting session.

Joanne Wagstaffe, Chief Executive of TRDC, said: “It’s fantastic that our staff and partners can work together and create a safe and lovely communal space for those who are going through a tough time.”

Sotira Pamphile, Lettings Manager for Watford Community Housing, said: “By working together to upgrade the garden facilities, we have been able to provide those living in temporary accommodation with the opportunity to engage in a wide range of outdoor activities.”