Our vision
Views of the garden before clearance work commenced
What is the vision and how does it work now?
Grove Garden is being designed to be an oasis in Haywards Heath town centre, for those who want some tranquility, some friendship or time with nature. A place where they will always be welcome with a smile.
Our wonderful volunteers are there several days a week to welcome people.
Who overseas your precious Grove Garden?
It is overseen by the Grove Garden Trust who include two award winning Arts and Culture specialists and social entrepreneurs who have lived in Haywards Heath for nearly 45 years collectively.
There will be a manager working alongside volunteers who will be responsible for the day to day running of the Garden, with the Trustees overseeing the overall management, scheduling and liaising with stakeholders and partners. The Trustees plan to make Grove Garden a unique and innovative, recreational, health & wellbeing, leisure and arts ‘open space’, serving the elderly community and their families who have no access to a garden space. It will be the first of its kind.
The Garden has started to offer classes and intimate events as well as being a place where the elders in the community can go to enjoy a range of creative and stimulating experiences in a pleasant walled garden environment. We plan to do more as we learn what people want.
It will also be a platform for research into the benefits of the garden environment on the health and wellbeing of our senior citizens as well as a showcase and model for wildlife-friendly urban landscape design and health management for the elderly.
The future for Grove Garden
The proposed design will focus on a number of distinct environments catering for rest & relaxation, health & wellbeing, entertainment, arts & culture, socialising, wildlife, planting and nature. These will comprise…….
High level allotments areas
Wheelchair friendly access
A multi purpose stage for musical, art and film performances, exercise (yoga, pilates, Tai Chi) and various upskilling classes and activities.
Solar powering and solar lighting (phase 2)
An indoor space so we can offer support all year round no matter what the weather (phase 2)
State of the art gardening equipment for the elderly
Rest and relaxation space (phase 2)
A space for an artist in residence (phase 3)
Entertainment social area
Board games area
Reading and reflection space
Exercise equipment zone
The proposed design for the new Grove Garden will focus on an accessible landscape design of carefully designed planters and seating. It will incorporate seating to the varying height planters to allow for moments of reflection and thinking. The planting areas will be raised to avoid issues with bending, the planters will be positioned to enable wheelchairs to pass unhindered.
Trees and planting will be designed to offer flowering and edible foliage. Many of the planters in the design will be designed to house mini allotments for members of the garden to grow fruit and vegetables and to help them be closer to nature.
The Garden is open now and supporting people every week. We will keep adding to the garden in the months to come. We will need the help of our fantastic volunteers and funding to help us too. We will also keep learning from the people who use the garden about what they value and love most.
FAQ’s
What time scale is the project working to?
*Phase One by late Summer 2023 - Open with sufficient equipment, landscaping, furniture, etc. to begin receiving visitors.
*Phase two by Winter 2024 - Complete installation of further equipment, final stage landscaping and compost WC.
*Phase three by Winter 2025 -Complete installation of Summer house with rest space, stage and film equipment.
Phase Four by Winter 2026 - Complete installation of drainage, lighting, power, water and plumbed toilet facility.
(*subject to the situation regarding fundraising and donations, volunteers, etc.)
Where will support and donations come from?
Crowdfunding, fundraising events at Grove Garden, donations from local businesses and organisations and individual donations and contributions in kind. eg. Haywards Heath Town Council, The Rotary Clubs of Haywards Heath and Lindfield & Cuckfield, Beacon Fencing, Sussex Tree Surgeons, Clive Leband, Paul & Janet Rider, Peter and Katrina Charlton, Alastair McPherson and many more.