We would be incredibly grateful for any help from Portsmouth businesses in transforming the outdoor area at Redbridge House, Hilsea into a welcoming garden space where the learning-disabled residents can spend time together, nurture friendships, enjoy moments of peace, and make wonderful memories.
Redbridge House is a supported living house that provides a safe and supportive home for young adults with learning disabilities, autism, and additional needs. The outdoor space plays a vital role in residents’ wellbeing, offering opportunities to relax, socialise, exercise, and enjoy nature. But, although the premises has a large secure garden area, it is currently difficult to use. Limited pathways, seating, and accessible areas mean that during wet weather the garden often becomes muddy and unsafe, restricting access for residents.
As a result, the house residents have re-designed the garden space with their carers, and last weekend they took part in an incredible Triathlon Challenge in Portsmouth to start fundraising for a project to create an accessible, welcoming garden with proper paths, seating, sensory planting, and spaces to relax and socialise. This will allow residents to enjoy the outdoors safely in every season. For each of the residents the triathlon was also a huge personal achievement for varying reasons, with each of them determined to help create a garden everyone they can all enjoy.
So far, they have raised an incredible £13,000 towards the £20,000 needed for materials themselves through this but we need help from organisations who may be able to donate materials or provide at cost price and particularly organisations who can help with ground work, construction and services needed to create the garden space.
Every donation, item of equipment, hour of labour, or cheer from the sidelines will help bring this vision to life. Together, we can transform a basic garden into a place where residents can relax, play, socialise, and thrive.
Anyone wishing to also donate financially to the Triathlon Sponsorship page can still do so here.