Following a 2013 review of Bournemouth’s care homes, to ensure they met the needs of the town’s growing elderly population, the decision was taken to close two existing homes and rebuild another in Tuckton, Southbourne.
This has been a fairly long and ongoing project that Long Rake Spar are glad to see finally come to fruition, with the results being well worth the wait. In 2014, Midas Southern began construction on the new 50 bedroomed Wickmead Care Home and contacted SureSet to discuss using their permeable resin bound paving for the external landscaping aspect of the project.
They required an attractive, non-slip surface that would ‘stimulate the senses’ and on which its elderly residents could enjoy sharing experiences with family and friends. SureSet’s popular Barley Beach was decided upon to meet these specifications.
Long Rake Spar quality aggregates were used within the system, and helped to create the warm and welcoming ‘home from home’ feeling that should produce a sensory experience for the residents.
The Sensory Walk takes in the Sensory Garden, which is overlooked by the communal lounge, café and shop and provides the perfect social space for barbeques and fêtes. It also winds through the Dementia Garden, which is positioned off the main lounge, providing an area for outdoor sitting and activities.
The Landscape Architect, Lynne Williams, created a wonderful design for Wickmead with cleverly defined areas that can be clearly identified by residents.
Additional requirements for the paving were that it should protect the existing trees using ‘no dig’ materials during its construction and that the paving must be maintain soil moisture. Laid expertly by hand, SureSet resin bound paving fulfilled the ‘no dig’ criteria while the natural aggregates supplied by Long Rake help to ensure the system is porous and therefore provides oxygen for the tree roots.
Completed in February 2016, Wickmead Care Home is located tantalisingly close to the picturesque River Stour. A charming, purpose-built nursing, dementia and residential care home that sits in the heart of Tuckton village.
Contractors: SureSet Permeable Paving
Client: Midas Group