Blooming marvellous retirement living in Scotland
Nine McCarthy & Stone retirement living developments across Scotland are enjoying an extra burst of colour thanks to a community programme set up with Clydedale Community Initiatives (CCI) to provide the company’s external landscaping and hanging baskets.
CCI staff and volunteers have risen to the challenge and embarked on a trip that started this week at McCarthy & Stone’s Kingsferry Court development in Braehead and Kittoch Court in East Kilbride, and will be completed in a few weeks time with the teams planting a mixture of baskets, tubs and troughs at a trio of developments in Kelso, Peebles and Dalkeith.
CCI was set up in 2002 to enable young people at risk and adults with mental health issues to develop a derelict site in Lanark, South Lanarkshire. This project was so successful with all parties benefitting hugely from their involvement that it was decided the group should undertake further projects. CCI has worked with a number of organisations on projects such as signage for points of interest, pathing, monument plinths and village gateways. Projects have ranged from the smallest planter to creating the third largest community garden in Scotland at Lanark Sensory Garden.
This latest project is an opportunity for the group to see a bit of Scotland as Niall McShannon, managing director for CCI explains: “We’re delighted to be working in association with McCarthy & Stone, and the team is really enjoying visiting the various developments across Scotland to bring a splash of colour to each of them.
“We know the enjoyment that people of all ages get from beautiful flowers and gardens so it’s a real thrill to be asked to help McCarthy & Stone add to the stunning gardens they already offer their residents.”
Working with CCI gives McCarthy & Stone an opportunity to support and encourage an excellent local community initiative as Suzanne McElhiney, marketing manager for McCarthy & Stone in Scotland adds: “We’d heard about the work of CCI and felt it was a great opportunity for us to work together to create stunning floral displays for our residents, whilst also giving CCI a project they could really get involved in at locations throughout Scotland.
“This project gives a direction to young people and adults with mental health issues, and an opportunity to positively contribute to society. We’re delighted with the quality of their work and our partnership with them.
“The gardens at each of our developments in Scotland are a real asset to the residents who live there. And we know that for many, they particularly enjoy the benefits of having maintained landscaped gardens so they can simply enjoy the space without any of the work. The mixture of hanging baskets, troughs and tubs by the CCI team will be a colourful addition.”
For more information on Clydedale Community Initiatives visit: cciweb.org.uk
For latest availability for McCarthy & Stone retirement living developments across Scotland visit: mccarthyandstone.co.uk
