Revitalizing An Unused Outdoor Space at Colne Health Centre

The Vision

Groundwork Greater Manchester’s Landscape Architects were commissioned in October 2023 by NHS Property Services to enhance an unused grassed area at the rear of Colne Health Centre. 

The Health Centre had no existing outdoor provision for staff, patients or visitors. The consultation, undertaken by the Groundwork team, identified a desire for more seating, some exercise equipment, sensory planting, spaces for food growing and most importantly, somewhere to eat lunch!

Design Process

Groundwork’s Landscape Architect, Richard, worked closely with the onsite team to develop ideas which then become a deliverable and costed design.

Once approved, the design came to fruition, with Richard mainintaing Project Management oversight throughout.

The Finished Site

You can now find the following features at Colne Health Centre:

  • Raised planters with sensory planting throughout to increase bio-diversity, add colour, scent and food for pollinating insects.
  • New picnic tables and benches to provide an attractive and calm space to relax, eat, chat and hold outdoor meetings. 
  • A tool shed for for Green Social Prescribing activities.
  • A Triple Step Up and a Balance Beam provide simple, low maintenance exercise equipment for patients seeking to improve heart and lung function and overall balance, coordination and posture.
  • A new path provides a circular route around the rear of the building and connects the different features.  Constructed from flexipave with a recycled rubber content the path is eco friendly and provides a firm, low maintenance, porous surface suitable for all levels of mobility including wheelchairs.

Results

Staff are now making use of the space, both as a resource to engage with patients and run activities but also informally during breaks as somewhere to relax and meet with colleagues.

I would personally like to say a big thank you to everyone for all their hard work. Our staff are looking forward to using the area when they can and starting to plant things with patients.

Alison Toon, Centre Manager