A treat for the senses

A sensory garden, where residents can enjoy some peaceful gardening, has been uneviled in a local care home.
Heeley Bank Care Home Sensory GardenHeeley Bank Care Home Sensory Garden
Heeley Bank Care Home Sensory Garden

The £300 garden was created at Heeley Bank Care Home with the help of donations and is the brainchild of activities coordinators Tina Johnson and Penny Count.

The pair had the idea for a sensory garden after seeing it done elsewhere and started fundraising to create a place where residents could get involved potting and planting in the calming oasis.

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“A lot of our residents suffer with some form of dementia,” explained Tina, who has been with the care home since last September.

“Everything in this garden is soothing and stirs a lot of memories for them. Plus it’s such a nice place to spend time.”

The sensory garden includes colourful flowers and paintings, water features, a herb garden, a bird house, furniture where the residents can relax and enjoy the sunshine and a coop of chickens.

“The residents love the chickens,” added Tina.

“It’s a really impressive garden makeover we’ve had here and we must thank all the staff and family members, plus all the local residents and businesses that have donated plants and furniture - it’s been a real team effort.

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“The sound of the water running, the pretty colours and the smells of the flowers and the herb means it really is an experience for all the senses for the 35, or so, residents already making use of this garden on a regular basis. It’s lovely to see.”

And the care home is still seeking donations of items, including a hook-a-duck, a basketball hoop and some more plants.

The sensory garden will be officially launch on June 17, on National Care Home Open Day.