Jonathan and his support team had the idea to sort his garden out before the pandemic, but there were various delays along the way.

“14 different companies let me down,” said Team Leader Mick Brown, but explained how he was determined to find the right people for the job.

Mick then found Dual Landscapes on Checkatrade. A family-run business established in 2019, they now have bookings up to a year in advance.

Making the garden accessible

Despite having never done an accessible garden project before, Jamie and the team were keen to get it right for Jonathan:

“This was a new one for me, working with a trust,” said Jamie. “But it was great meeting Jon and all the United Response staff.

It was fulfilling too, because we knew we were doing a good thing for Jon.

Dual Landscapes recommended Italian porcelain tiles due to their non-slip properties, and spoke with a local garden centre to find the right plants for Jonathan’s outdoor space.

Before and after
Chilled: Jon’s garden is a great place to relax now

They also added adjustable lighting and a water feature, both of which provide sensory enjoyment and create a relaxing ambience in the garden. Jonathan’s support workers are also going to add a bird table so he can watch the birds come and go.

Jonathan and Mick

Jonathan is 54 and Mick’s been supporting him for 14 years. As Jon is non-verbal, they communicate with one another using Makaton:

He’s just a lovely guy. He’s a gentle giant and he’s got a remarkable sense of humour.

Mick described how Jonathan’s home is his ‘fortress’ – the place where he feels safest and most comfortable:

We wanted it to be an extension of his home where he could go out and just sit, enjoy a drink and take everything in.

Benefits of time spent outdoors

Spending time in green spaces is important for our physical and mental wellbeing.

Since having his garden refurbished, Mick says Jon has sat outside for over an hour at a time, enjoying the sunshine and taking in all the sights and sounds.

Jonathan having lunch out in his new garden
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  • Jenna Lloyd is Senior Content Officer for United Response.