Cllr Warmisham with staff & resident who made garden possible.

Cllr Warmisham at plaque to commemorate opening.

A new community garden designed by older and vulnerable people at a sheltered housing scheme has opened today.

Residents at Lombardy Court in Pendleton, Salford, celebrated their new garden with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque and an official opening by ward councillor John Warmisham.

In December last year residents at Lombardy Court bid for a share of £35,000 funding from their housing landlords Salix Homes to build the garden.

It was one of 15 schemes chosen by other residents to receive the money.

The new facility hopes to encourage people to look after community areas and is an incentive for older residents to get outdoors.

Caretaking staff at Salix Homes helped residents to plant flowers as part of the company’s WIN Days initiative where employees get involved in community projects.

Raised planting beds have been put in so that wheelchair users and people with mobility difficulties enjoy the garden.

It has been landscaped with the help of Groundwork Salford and benches have been donated by Franklins.

Sue Sutton, Salix Homes’ head of neighbourhood services said: “The idea for the garden was put forward by residents and we’ve been able to make it possible by setting aside a dedicated budget for community projects.

“Before the garden there wasn’t an outdoor space that residents could really enjoy but now they have a place that they can call their own.

“Projects like this help to bring neighbourhoods together and we will be shortly opening up entries for another round of funding in the coming months.”