Alsager Community Orchard gets a makeover
Alsager Community Orchard is situated off Leicester Avenue and was planted earlier this year by a team of volunteers led by Antony Cooke and Hilary Robinson.
Some of you will have seen the orchard at its best in late spring when the wildflowers were blooming and the trees were starting to bear fruit. As the summer progressed the site became overgrown and inaccessible, though the intention was that the orchard would provide a habitat for a wide range of wildlife and local people would be able to pick and enjoy the fruits. Take a look here to see how the area has been transformed...
Alsager Partnership is supporting work at The Orchard to help ensure that green spaces in the town are welcoming and safe areas for people living with dementia and their carers. Through our community links, we have been able to engage Cheshire East Care4ce to carry out essential work on the site. Care4ce are a small team of experienced mental health support workers who operate across Cheshire East in partnership with other community-based organisations; receiving referrals from, for example: Mental Health Reablement and Mental Health Teams. Volunteers are supported to take part in socially-inclusive and practical activities where they can choose to focus on horticultural and countryside conservation projects. They work in a small group, spending time with others who share their interests and are supported to develop their skills and coping techniques at their own pace. The aim is to develop their confidence and motivation towards increased independence and improved prospects for achieving their goals. CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE
The Orchard has now been transformed and the surrounding area has also been tidied with a path to be laid from the orchard down to the main path through the park.
The final stage of this project will be to lay a path around the orchard with seating, so visitors can enjoy a quiet time in pleasant surroundings. The materials for this project have been funded by the Dementia Friendly Community Fund under the auspices of Alsager Partnership.
