Cuan Court memories bloom as vibrant garden brings tenants and community closer together
Tenants, families and staff at Cuan Court supported living in Newtownards are celebrating the opening of a new sensory and memory garden, created to promote wellbeing and provide a special place to remember former tenants.
The garden was made possible through funding from Ark Housing, Radius Housing and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, alongside the dedication of Cuan Court staff Activity Officer, Lynn Coulter and Support Worker, Joanne Dodds.
The project has transformed a previously unused outdoor area into a vibrant garden featuring colourful flowers, raised beds, fragrant herbs, calming wind chimes, water features and specially created mosaic artwork.
The welcoming space is already providing tenants with a peaceful place to relax, socialise and enjoy time with family and friends.
One tenant described the garden saying: “It is absolutely wonderful. It is so peaceful and colourful. I love sitting out here and seeing all the flowers. It really lifts your spirits.”
Support Worker, Joanne Dodds explained that the vision was to create an outdoor space that tenants could truly enjoy, “Originally there was nothing in this area at all. When the opportunity came up to apply for funding, we wanted to transform it into somewhere our tenants could relax and enjoy.
“Once the funding was approved, we contacted Castle Gardens Primary School who were keen to become involved in an intergenerational project.
“Together with the school, Artist Jill and our Manager, Rhonda Robinson, we developed a six-week programme where the children visited every Wednesday to work alongside our tenants creating the mosaic artwork.
“It was wonderful to watch the friendships develop between the children and our tenants. There was so much laughter and enjoyment and we are hopeful this is just the beginning of continuing that relationship with the school.
“The finished garden is amazing. The colours, the flowers, the sounds of the wind chimes and the gentle trickle of the water create such a peaceful atmosphere. Even simply walking through the garden lifts your mood.”
Tenants were involved in the project right from the beginning, helping choose features and contributing to the design of the mosaics and planting.
Activity Officer, Lynn Coulter said involving tenants in every stage of the project made the garden even more meaningful, “From the beginning we asked our tenants what they wanted because this is their garden. They helped choose what would go into it, took part in the mosaic workshops and worked alongside the children every week.
“It gave everyone a real sense of excitement and ownership. They felt valued because their opinions mattered and every decision was made with them, not for them.
“We have sadly experienced a lot of loss over the past year at Cuan Court. We wanted this to be a place that remembers those who are no longer with us, but in a way that celebrates their lives rather than focusing on sadness.
“Many of the beautiful features throughout the garden, including the clock, mirrors, pergola and water features, were generously donated by the families of former tenants. Residents now walk through the garden and fondly remember their friends with smiles, sharing happy memories together.
“It is also a sensory garden, the herbs provide wonderful scents, the wind chimes create calming sounds and the flowers provide beautiful colours throughout the space. Tenants are already taking great pride in helping care for the garden every day.”
Adding a particularly personal touch, staff also designed and created a striking mosaic feature incorporating a white rose in memory of Cuan Court Manager, Rhonda Robinson’s mother, Mary, who spent the final month of her life at Cuan Court before she passed away.
Rhonda said the garden represented the compassion and teamwork of everyone involved, “This garden is absolutely fabulous for our tenants and their families. It is already being enjoyed with the great weather recently. It is a wonderful space where we can enjoy afternoon tea together, spend time outdoors and make the most of beautiful days.
“This project is a fantastic example of partnership working. Funding came from organisations outside the Trust and the intergenerational work with Castle Gardens Primary School has made the garden even more special.
“I am incredibly proud of Joanne and Lynn, whose dedication, creativity and enthusiasm have transformed this space into something truly beautiful. They have worked tirelessly to coordinate the project and create somewhere that will bring enjoyment to tenants and families for many years to come.
“The white rose mosaic created by our staff is especially meaningful to me as it honours my mum, Mary, who spent her final weeks here at Cuan Court. It is a beautiful reminder of the kindness, compassion and care that she experienced here and I know it will always hold a special place in my heart.”
