Article Source: North Lanarkshire Council
Last Updated: 5 November 2024 16:03
The Down’s Syndrome Scotland Garden will be designed by Nick Burton and Duncan Hall of Burton Hall Garden Design and built with the help of a group of young adults with Down’s syndrome.
After being showcased at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show from 20 to 24 May, the garden will be transported to its permanent home and managed in partnership at Watch US Grow, based in the park.
Watch US Grow is a charity dedicated to making positive changes in the lives of adults with additional support needs, creating educational and purposeful opportunities for people to learn new skills, gaining life experience and being part of an organisation where they are treated equally.
A number of people with Down’s syndrome attend Watch US Grow and will be actively involved in the reconstruction of the garden.
“We are very pleased to be supporting Watch Us Grow to bring this inspirational garden to Palacerigg Country Park after it has been on display at the Chelsea Flower Show,” said Councillor Helen Loughran, Convener of the Environment and Climate Change Committee.
“It will provide new learning opportunities for the adults with learning disabilities who attend Watch Us Grow, as well as raising awareness of the challenges faced by people with Down Syndrome and their families.”
The garden will be an immersive, semi-wooded space celebrating and reflecting the unique qualities that people with Down's syndrome bring to society. A meandering path leads visitors through two distinct planting areas that convey contrasting moods: one of calmness and the other of playfulness.
A water pool that initially appears to be a barrier to progress symbolises the daily challenges faced by people with Down’s syndrome who - despite huge progress in recent years - still experience stigma, often resulting in reduced opportunities and life expectancy. A submerged bridge within the water pool allows the ‘barrier’ to be overcome and visitors arrive at a welcoming shelter designed to look and feel like a warm and comforting hug.
Down’s Syndrome Scotland is a charity dedicated to helping everyone with Down’s syndrome living in Scotland reach their fullest potential through every age and stage of their life.
The project has been made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of Project Giving Back, a grant-making charity that supports gardens for good causes at RHS Chelsea before relocating them to sites across the UK.
The battle of festive cola trucks has already kicked off between Lidl and Coke - but now the country's most iconic soft drink, IRN-BRU, has joined in!
READ MOREFounder of Scottish business, itison, Oli Norman, has spoken out about the 'devastating' level of poverty in Scotland this festive season.
READ MOREA unique swimming challenge is inviting swimmers to set personal goals and raise funds for a life-changing hydrotherapy pool on behalf of leading disability charity, Capability Scotland.
READ MOREMarine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts launches new series - 'Adventure weekends with Marine & Lawn'.
READ MOREA beautiful city with a rich history and a giant adventure to be found around every corner, there is no shortage of incredible festive experiences to enjoy in Belfast.
READ MOREJasleen Kaur, whose exhibition Alter Altar at Tramway uses a vintage Ford Escort, worship bells and Irn-Bru to celebrate the Scottish Sikh community, has won this year's Turner Prize.
READ MORE50 Cent, Biffy Clyro, Snow Patrol, The Script, Fontaines D.C. and Gracie Abrams are included among the much-anticipated first wave of artists announced for Scotland's biggest music event.
READ MORECrutherland House Hotel & Spa has reported a remarkable rise in bookings for Christmas lunch, highlighting a growing trend of families seeking the magic of dining out this festive season.
READ MOREA family rollercoaster, giant snow globe, children's rides, stalls, street food and a packed live entertainment schedule makes Loch Lomond Shores FREE Christmas festival the perfect Christmas day out!
READ MOREScottish brewer Innis & Gunn lifts the lid on the beer industry with a mockumentary starring real employees and comedians Paul Dockery and Katie McKenzie.
READ MORECelebrate the season with festive family fun at the National Museum of Rural Life this December.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres is marking the official start of the 2024 festive season with its delivery of 50,000 real Christmas trees, available at stores across the UK now.
READ MOREA popular trad music festival is set to return in 2025 – and it's adding an extra night due to demand!
READ MOREitison Drive In Movies Christmas adds final date after unprecedented demand with tickets for Elf & Love Actually on sale on Wednesday 27th November at 7.30am.
READ MOREA pioneering visual teaching tool has launched across Scotland, making swimming lessons more accessible to everyone.
READ MORETo mark the countdown to Christmas, some of the most loved holiday classics are being brought back to the big screen at Vue venues in Scotland this festive season.
READ MOREAsda and Asda Foundation pledges almost £1 million to help combat loneliness and isolation in the older generation this festive period through its 'Don't be Gnome Alone this Christmas' campaign.
READ MOREIKEA is giving shoppers a £20 voucher for every real tree purchased for £29 in its Scottish stores from 23rd November – with pre-orders available now.
READ MOREAldi Scotland announces the return of its freshly cut Nordmann Fir trees, with prices starting from just £13.99.
READ MORECumbernauld Theatre Company has opened applications for its 2024 Christmas Appeal, offering tickets to festive productions productions Pinocchio (for ages 7+) and Special Delivery (for ages 3 - 7).
READ MOREDestination Christmas, a magical festive feast of entertainment is set to open at M&D's Scotland's Theme Park this Saturday, 23rd November!
READ MORELegendary Scottish band Skerryvore have today unveiled plans to stage a special one-off concert – their biggest to date – to mark their 20th anniversary.
READ MORE17 pubs across Scotland are calling on their customers to help spread a little Christmas cheer by writing cards to people facing loneliness and isolation this Christmas.
READ MOREMembers of the club have set a fundraising challenge to walk 500 miles each (or around 1million steps) before their production of Sunshine on Leith kicks off at Lanark Memorial Hall in March!
READ MOREMusic lovers have a lot to look forward to at Vue venues in Scotland – including a very special Andrea Bocelli screening this weekend.
READ MORESupermarket teams up with national treasure Larry Lamb to reimagine its in-store cafes as 'Chatty Cafés' and help spark conversations this Christmas.
READ MOREScotland's national celebration of books, Book Week Scotland 2024, returns from 18-24 November to uplift the country with its theme of Hope.
READ MOREImagine Theatre proudly present a thrilling lineup of magical family pantos jam packed with laughter, music, song and dance featuring some of Scotland's favourite stars!
READ MOREModern Films Family in partnership with CBeebies are excited to announce that this year's CBeebies Panto is Beauty and the Beast and that it will be in cinemas during November and December.
READ MOREFrom enjoying a jolly time at Santa's Breakfast to indulging in a delicious Festive Afternoon Tea or enjoying some seasonal drinks and cakes, customers at Dobbies are in for a treat.
READ MORE