Wealden Times | WT261 | February 2024 | Education Supplement inside

Garden
“At Highfields we’ve
[landscaped] to promote
a tranquil environment
to relax and socialise
in, along with
providing allotments
for community
gardening. For our
Pegasus communities,
homeowners are
predominantly
downsizing and this
also means reducing
access to outdoor
space as well. Having
allotments will mean
that those with greenfingers
don’t have
to say goodbye to a
healthy hobby”
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“However, increasingly we’re finding
this isn’t the wellness our homeowners
have in mind. We’ve responded to this
by adapting what our communities
look like, focusing on creating social
connection, enabling more interactions
with nature, and empowering
an overall healthier lifestyle.
“At one of our newest Pegasus
developments, Highfields West
Byfleet, we’ve recognised this by
landscaping to promote a tranquil
environment to relax and socialise
in, along with providing allotments
for community gardening. For our
Pegasus communities, homeowners are
predominantly downsizing and this
also means reducing access to outdoor
space as well. Having allotments will
mean that those with green-fingers don’t
have to say goodbye to a healthy hobby,
whilst fostering great community spirit
amongst homeowners and renters in a
shared space.”
‘Wellness is an active process of
becoming aware of and making choices
toward a healthy and fulfilling life.
Wellness is more than being free from
illness, it is a dynamic process of change
and growth.’ This statement from the
World Health Organisation is endorsed
by Pegasus, whose ethos is centred
on wellness in retirement, in short
“to improve the options for people
hoping to downsize and simplify their
lives. We wanted to create places that
allow people to get the best out of
a time of life when we can pursue
our passions, live in comfort, and
take better care of ourselves.”
Outdoor gardening
Mobility and flexibility may become
reduced in later years, but you can still
garden outside. Being actively involved
in an outdoor project is energising and
brings a sense of accomplishment, and
of anticipation – looking forward to and
planning for the future – what plants to
grow, crops to harvest. If this is done in
a community setting, the social benefits
can markedly increase quality of life.
Raised beds are a good option,
constructed to the height that
best suits. Try lightweight
containers, or those on castors.
Trellises and vertical supports will
allow for plants to climb upwards to
enable easy access. Make sure that
there is a bench nearby, or chairs
for a rest in between tasks, or for
sitting and admiring achievements.
There are lots of ingenious tools
available and are ergonomic, which
means they are designed for both
efficiency and comfort. Some
have been made for people with
arthritis and mobility issues.
Automatic watering systems make
the arduous and often heavy work of
watering redundant, providing they are
set up correctly and can be adjusted
to suit the prevailing weather. Because
the nozzles are pointed directly at the
parts of the plants that need it, they
can potentially be water-saving too.
Indoor gardening
Imagine a life where you might be,
through immobility or illness, trapped
inside for most of the day, unable to
step outside for a breath of fresh air, to
go for a walk, or do some gardening.
Feelings of isolation and depression can
result, but health and wellbeing benefits
can still be gained from interacting
with nature in an indoor situation.
Activities like tending to houseplants,
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