THE Penola and District Medical Support Group is encouraging the community to band together to help fund a beneficial courtyard between the Penola and District War Memorial Hospital and the Pinchunga Aged Care facility.
The courtyard has been designed to promote positive mental wellbeing and an uplifting environment for residents, staff and those visiting.
The support group hopes to develop an attractive and inviting courtyard garden to provide a focal point to the renewed entrance to Pinchunga.
Currently, Penola and District War Memorial Hospital works are under way to lay a new driveway in the central area between the hospital and Pinchunga Aged Care facility.
With Country Health SA funds, the hospital has recently remedied a long standing drainage problem at the entrance of Pinchunga and is installing a new driveway.
This has created a large central area where the community courtyard is set to be developed.
With the hospital lacking funds and staff to undertake redevelopment, the Penola and District Medical Support Group has taken the project upon themselves.
“Our group of volunteers feels passionate about undertaking this important project and guaranteeing its success into the future,” Penola and District Medical Support Group Committee member Janet Brodie said.
Plans for the courtyard include a pergola to provide shelter and shade, a large garden bed of native plantings as well as pots of colourful seasonal plantings.
Additional park bench seating will be introduced allowing for relaxation and contemplation of the garden.
A barbecue area will be included to offer outdoor dining opportunities for residents and their family.
At the request of the residents, a water feature will also be added to complete the design.
“The courtyard will be accessible to the elderly using walkers and patients in wheelchairs and cloud chairs who have previously had limited access to the outdoors,” Ms Brodie said.
“Opportunities for small events in the courtyard will provide residents with community engagement and stimulation.”
Ms Brodie said the positive effects of the plan can already be seen at Pinchunga and Jarvis Aged Care wings, as residents were taking great interest in the development.
“They are expressing their pleasure at the improvement in their surroundings and the fact their local community is seeking their input with the project,” Ms Brodie said.
With the aim of having the project completed this year, Ms Brodie said this group is relying on community fundraising.
“The community involvement in funding and facilitating the project will also build a stronger relationship between community and the hospital aged care facility,” Ms Brodie said.
“It creates an emotional connection that will help facilitate a smooth transition from home to residential care for members of our community.”
Any donation is welcomed by the group with community members able to choose a specific aspect of the garden to fund.
For more information or to donate contact committee chairperson Bill Murray on 0417 813 058 or committee member Janet Brodie on 0400 028 566.
