Combining services from Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust and Edenbridge Medical Practice, the new Edenbridge Memorial Health Centre in Kent will put health services at the heart of the community when it opens later this year.
Building for the future, the Health Centre has been designed to be sustainable with no fossil fuels used to heat the building and photo voltaic panels producing renewable energy on site. The high-quality design has a striking roof line and a Memorial Garden which both respond to community feedback.
Situated in the grounds of the new Health Centre, the Memorial Gardens will be a valuable resource for patients, visitors, and staff, offering an informal setting for therapy and group activities and social prescribing.
Groundwork have been appointed to design and build the gardens, creating an appealing and accessible space for all to enjoy. Thanks to funding from gbpartnerships foundation, carefully selected sensory planting including species-rich turf and enhancements such as bird boxes and insect hotels will be included to encourage biodiversity.
The design is mindful of those with additional needs, for example, making the paths looped to be dementia-friendly and a sensory garden suitable for those who are blind or people with neurodiversity. The site will also give people using and working at the Health Centre a pleasant place to sit and gain the benefits of fresh air and time in nature.
Jane Everitt, Principal Landscape Architect, Groundwork London commented:
“We are hugely grateful for the donation from gbpartnerships towards this project. It will really contribute to biodiversity improvements and making the garden as wildlife friendly as possible.”
Ian Tuddenham, gbpartnerships develop, Development Director commented:
“This funding will provide a valuable contribution to health, wellbeing and environmental improvements in Edenbridge and create a lasting legacy for all to enjoy. I look forward to visiting the site when it’s completed later this year.”
gbpartnerships are working with Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust to take forward the development of the new Health Centre. gbpartnerships is committed to working with our partners and clients to help achieve carbon reductions and delivering a net zero NHS.
For over 35 years, Groundwork has worked with communities across the South of England and Greater London, combining social and environmental regeneration to improve people’s prospects, create better places, and promote greener living and working.
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