New Garden For The Elderly Is A Treat For The Senses
A new sensory garden for local residents and particularly people living with dementia to enjoy has been officially opened in Spalding.
The brand new purpose-built garden at Cedar Falls care village on Little London Road in Spalding, which is part of Tanglewood Care Homes, was opened on Friday by Rt Hon John Hayes MP, who represents South Holland and The Deepings.
Residents and their families at Cedar Falls were joined by staff, contractors, the community health team and members of the public at a party to celebrate the new garden.
The Cedar Falls Community Garden Project has been carefully designed to take into consideration the needs of those living with dementia, and it will be open to members of the public as well as residents.
Key features of the new sensory garden include:
- Pergola walkways offering a 360-degree sensory experience for people at all heights and mobility preferences.
- A flower planting and vegetable growing area that has been carefully curated to provide sensory stimulations ranging from scent to touch to taste
- Flexi-pave resin-bound surfacing which is suitable for wheelchairs
- Gazebo space for private relaxation with family members, suitable for all weathers
- Bird-friendly area with feeding tables
- Multiple entrances to allow residents to come and go independently
John Hayes MP said: “It’s wonderful to be here to see the culmination of an idea that came out of a dementia forum that I chaired here. We thought about how the lives of people with dementia could be improved and we came up with the idea of a sensory garden.
“The five senses – sight, smell, sound, taste and touch – are all things that enliven and enhance people’s lives, and whether you have dementia or not, a garden lights up your life.
“This garden is such a joy, and I hope we can spread that joy to thousands of people in the years to come.”
Tracy Ann Shelbourn, founder and Director of Tanglewood Care Homes, said: “The Cedar Falls Community Garden Project is one of our most ambitious outdoor projects to date and it will be open for all Cedar Falls residents to enjoy as well as visitors from the surrounding communities.
“All too often people living in residential care settings do not have access to safe environments where they can spend time independently outdoors, particularly people living with dementia.
“I’d like to thank everyone who’s helped bring this project to completion, especially the staff here at Cedar Falls, the residents and their families, and all the designers and contractors who have worked with us.
“The garden looks absolutely beautiful in the sunshine and we look forward to welcoming families across Lincolnshire who have been touched by dementia in some way to come and enjoy this new space.”
