When a pretty garden isn’t enough
Parallel 6
18 November, 2026 3:30 – 4:40 pmCultivating Connections: Nature, Sports and Therapeutic Activity
Debbie Carroll is an experienced garden designers passionate about care setting, and dementia gardens, being well used long after the designer has left. Step Change Design, was formed to share the findings of her joint study with fellow designer Mark Rendell into what creates actively used care home gardens. She is co-author of the ‘Why Don’t We Go Into the Garden?’ series of books and tools supporting the care and design sectors. The application of this work recently won the National Activity Providers Association (NAPA) award for their ‘Research & Evaluation’ working with Hallmark Luxury Care Homes.
Summary
Gardens are often beautiful restful places proven to be good for us; so why are even the most pretty and well-designed spaces under-used? In Horticulture we have a phrase of ‘Right plant, right place’ to ensure they thrive. Our work identifies the need for the ‘Right garden, in the right care culture’ to ensure it is used long term and so benefiting residents the way it should.
We’ll explore through real examples how even the prettiest garden may not be the right one for you and guide you to understanding how to focus in on what really matter and find the right fit for your organisation and most importantly your residents.



