Tameside Council helps install new Dutch barn in hospice gardens

There’s a new feature in the gardens at Willow Wood Hospice and it’s already proving its worth.

A brand-new Dutch barn has been installed in the hospice’s Upper Meadows, creating a secure, flexible space that will support fundraising events and activities for years to come.

The project was made possible thanks to a grant from Clarity Travel Management, but before the barn could arrive, there was a rather important job to tackle – preparing the site.

That’s where Tameside Council stepped in.

As part of the council’s Social Value strategy, staff from the local authority’s Housing, Environment and Estates department visited the hospice to solve the practical challenges involved in getting the site ready.

The team built a path and ramp and created the foundations needed for the barn.

Their work has saved Willow Wood the equivalent of two days of care across its services – money that can instead be spent directly on supporting patients and families.

Joanne Lees, Partnership Development Lead at Willow Wood Hospice, said the team had gone above and beyond to help complete the project.

She said: “It’s been great to work with Emma Varnam and Lee Holland from the council. Their teams worked incredibly hard to bring the project to life.

“Access to the site wasn’t easy, but they built a ramp so the digger could safely reach the area. They were very respectful of our patients and families and really proud to be helping the Hospice.

“They went above and beyond what was expected, and it was wonderful to see the project take shape. The barn has transformed our Upper Meadows and will be a fantastic asset for many years to come. We are incredibly grateful to everyone involved in making this project happen.”

The project also provided a valuable experience for the local authority’s apprentices, who worked in a challenging area of the gardens, while using recycled materials to create the finished product.

The dutch barn was officially opened by Councillor Eleanor Wills, Executive Leader of Tameside Council, on Wednesday, October 7th, alongside Lee, Emma and members of the team who had supported the project, as well as Joanne, members of the hospice’s Senior Management Team and Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Councillor Wills commented: “Willow Wood Hospice provides invaluable support to patients and families across Tameside, and we are delighted to have helped bring this project to life. The new Dutch barn will be a fantastic asset for the hospice, supporting fundraising and community activities for years to come.

“It has also been a great opportunity for our apprentices to gain valuable hands-on experience while contributing to a project that will make a real difference locally. I would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work and partnership in making this happen.”