Peter McVerry Trust, the national housing and homeless charity, is showcasing its first Show Garden at Ireland’s largest gardening festival.
‘Pathways to Home’ is designed to represent the journey from homelessness and sleeping rough to living in a safe and secure home. The garden was designed by Seán O’Malley and Oisin Griffin of Griffin Landscape Architecture and is delivered in partnership with the Housing Agency.
The garden, through the use of carefully considered materials and planting, prompts consideration of the pathways undertaken, challenges faced and self-reflection undertaken by people supported by the highly successful and innovative ‘Housing First’ model.
Housing First provides a person sleeping rough with their own secure accommodation as well as access to intensive and specialised support services. The garden represents key elements of Housing First; the right to housing, the lack of barriers to access, an emphasis on reflective spaces, resilience in materials and the representation of different journeys.
Pat Doyle, CEO of Peter McVerry Trust said, “We’re delighted to take part in Bord Bia Bloom 2022 and have the opportunity to speak about homelessness and Housing First to visitors over the bank holiday weekend. I’d also like Sean and Oisin for the wonderful garden they have produced for us to help tell our story and to the Housing Agency for sponsoring our efforts.”
“Housing First is playing a key role in helping address the needs of people sleeping rough and others with complex support needs. It will continue to reduce rough sleeping across Ireland and make sure that the most vulnerable people in our society are housed. We want Bord Bia Bloom visitors to take a hopeful message from ‘Pathways to Home’; people impacted by homelessness can lead a full and happy life with the right supports and a home of their own.”
Seán O’Malley, the garden designer, said, “We’re excited to team up with Peter McVerry Trust and hope that people will not only enjoy the garden but understand the message of the space. The purpose of this garden is to stimulate quiet reflection or conversation while wandering or pausing within the space. Journeying in this way and in this space can satisfy the innate desire to connect with nature, an escape from the pressures of modern society.”
“We used a mixture of native and non-native plants, which we hope will spark conversation with visitors. They might recognise familiar plants as well as question the use of some – provoking visitors to think about the composition of the planting and gain a deeper understanding of the message behind the space. Although it portrays a conceptual take on aspects of the work of Peter McVerry Trust, we believe that the garden will reflect a clear message.”
‘Pathways to Home’ was designed by Seán O’Malley and Oisin Griffin of Griffin Landscape Architecture, a Dublin based Landscape Architecture practice. The garden is sponsored by Peter McVerry Trust and the Housing Agency. The Housing Agency is a government body working with the Department of Housing and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in the delivery of housing and housing services. The Housing First National Office is based at The Housing Agency.
Vote Peter McVerry Trust as the People’s Choice garden at Bord Bia Bloom 2022
To vote for Peter McVerry Trust’s garden, please text GARDEN 11 to 51500.
The vote is open from 9am Thursday 1 June to 1pm on Monday 6 June.
Standard rate SMS applies. Vote before 1pm on Monday 6 June. Votes after this time will not be counted but SMS rates still apply. Votes open to ROI & NI residents only.
