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Volunteers transform garden

July 2010

A garden created by an army of volunteers for people with learning disabilities in Reading is to be unveiled on the 23rd July.

Dimensions is throwing open its gates to Loddon Court, Earley, for a special Open Day to celebrate the completion of the garden. People who attend Loddon Court and their families have been invited along as well as all the volunteers who helped create the new garden.

The £7,000 garden, transformed by volunteers from Informatica, has been designed specifically for people who stay at Loddon Court; a home where people with learning disabilities go for short breaks. Up to 60 guests visit Loddon Court a year for breaks of up to two weeks, depending on their needs. Informatica is an information technology company and were introduced to Loddon Court by one of the families who use Loddon Court.

The completion of the garden followed a four year fundraising programme by the Dimensions team at Loddon Court as well as a donation of just over £500 from Waitrose in Twyford. The volunteers gave up their time to transform the garden, creating two separate gardens; a sensory garden and a social area.

The sensory garden has new planting areas, a herb garden and scented plants and flowers as well as seating and water feature, making it a relaxed area for people to take time out. Another new feature is a new summer house where house guests can take part in creative activities or just chill out.

The second garden has a new decking area, new furniture, pergola, some large tropical plants and barbeque as well as raised beds with lots of colourful scented plants and flowers.During the Open Day there will be a barbeque, stalls, outdoor games and henna painting sessions.

Pam Whiteman, of Dimensions, said: "We are looking forward to the Open Day as it will be the first time that many people will have seen the finished garden. We are throwing open the gardens and inviting all our house guests and their families as well as all the volunteers and Waitrose and everyone who helped raise the money. Thanks to the support of our team and volunteers at Informatica, lots of people are going to really benefit from the new gardens."

Dimensions supports more than 2,300 people with learning disabilities and autism across England and Wales. It provides a wide variety of support services tailored to meet the needs of each individual and their family. This ranges from bespoke support in people's own homes to support through care like Loddon Court. People taking short breaks at Loddon Court have varying needs and the garden has been designed with different needs in mind so that it can be used by all.

Ends

For further information please contact:
Nicola Doughty, Communications Officer
Tel: 07789 003724
Email: nicola.doughty@dimensions-uk.org