Residents at a Loretto Care facility in Grangemouth are enjoying their new sensory garden.

Staff and residents at the Inchyra Place facility for homeless people unveiled the new garden as part of their ‘Loretto in the Sunshine’ summer fete. The day also involved a bake-off competition, barbecue and live music.

The garden, which features a sensory area, fruit trees and a scented garden, was built in just seven days and opened by Cathy Fallon, director of Loretto.

Sharon Taylor, deputy service manager, said: “The garden is for the people we work for at our Loretto Care Grangemouth services supporting adults with learning disabilities and Inchyra place which support people experiencing homelessness.

“The garden will help bring people together and stay active. There’s an edible garden with herbs and fruit which the people who live here can use in their cooking.”

The work was completed by Mackenzie Construction as part of their commitment to the Wheatley Pledge – a scheme which encourages its contractors to do more to help people in disadvantaged communities. Access to the Wheatley Pledge is just one of the benefits Loretto Care enjoys since joining Wheatley Group in 2013.

Robbie MacLean from Mackenzie Construction was at the Loretto in the sunshine event with his family.

He said: “I got the call just a few weeks ago asking if we could build the garden in time for the event today. It was a challenge, but it’s turned out really well.”

And, despite a drizzly start, the Loretto in the sunshine event lived up to its name.

Local Loretto Housing tenants joined residents from Loretto Care’s Garry Place, the Grangemouth, Falkirk and Inchyra Place services to enjoy the new garden, barbecue and entertainment – which was provided by Loretto Care supported tenant Maimie Rogers and her band.

The highlight of the day for the guests was the ‘local landmarks’ themed bake-off competition which was won by Grangemouth resident Senga Rennie and her Spitfire cake.

Senga chose the design to reflect the rich history of Inchyra Place. The service is built on the site of RAF Grangemouth – home to the 602 Squadron and their Supermarine Spitfire – during the second world war.

Loretto Care’s Falkirk and Grangemouth services provide support for adults with mental ill health and learning disabilities and care for young people who have experienced homelessness.

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