At a ceremony on the campus of St. John’s Community Hospital in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, the sod was turned on the Activity Garden project.
When completed, featuring hedgerows, planting and an amphitheatre styled area, the garden will be a multi-functional space for gatherings, and health and social activities in the heart of the HSE healthcare campus for its users, residents and staff.
The Minister of State at the Dept. of Justice James Browne TD was in attendance for the significant occasion for a project supported as a placement incentive by Wexford County Council’s Culture and Creativity team and Age Friendly programme in partnership with the HSE, Creative Ireland, the Irish Architectural Foundation and the Enniscorthy Men’s Shed.
The development was also made possible thanks to funding from the government’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
The Minister was joined at the speakers’ podium by HSE representatives Dr. Sinéad Reynolds (Integrated Healthcare Area Manager for Waterford/Wexford), Michelle Doyle (outgoing Acting Chief Officer, South East Community Healthcare) and by Head of Service for Health and Wellbeing Derval Howley, whose department has supported the project from its inception – including funding the outdoor exercise equipment for the campus and supporting the funding application for the creative garden.
Dr. Denise Rogers, who chaired the group of HSE staff on site that began the healthy campus and Creative Garden project in 2020, also addressed an audience of guests that included residents and users of some of the HSE facilities on site at the St. John’s campus in Enniscorthy. Funding was also received from Creative Ireland , which helped the design team in their work. Mick Mahon of the mental health staff on site and colleagues in the St John's Healthy Campus Committee have been active in the meantime on many initiatives.
Cllr Aidan Browne (Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District Council) spoke at the occasion for Wexford County Council, with the local authority’s Enniscorthy District Manager Claire Lawless, Executive Engineer Neville Shaw and Executive Technician Pat Fitzpatrick also present.
When completed, the Activity Garden will enable patients, their companions or visitors and HSE staff on site at the St. John’s Community Hospital and Community Healthcare Services campus to enjoy some fresh air and, during fine weather, will offer an opportunity for outdoor events and activities.
The HSE’s campus in Munster Hill, Enniscorthy features Millbrock (disability services day centre), Tús Nua (mental health rehabilitation unit), Millview (mental health reside care), Havenview (intellectual disabilities care centre), Adult Disability and Children’s Disability Network Team facilities, An Tearman (mental health respite centre), the HSE’s Wexford Vaccination Centre, the HSE’s Health and Wellbeing service, the HSE’s Primary Care/Social Inclusion and Substance Misuse Team services, St. John’s Community Hospital, the Hubs for the Wexford Integrated Care Programme for Older Persons and the Wexford Memory Assessment and Support Service and the St. John’s Day Centre for Older People.
The Enniscorthy Men’s Shed base is also housed in the old St. John’s building on the campus.
Monageer Contract Ltd will carry out the work, which will include an amphitheatre styled central area in addition to planting, hedgerows and seating.
Last updated on: 30 / 09 / 2024
