Work has begun on a new Sanctuary Garden at Thrive London for people living with Dementia, their carers and older and disabled people.
Located in Thrive London’s Main Garden in Battersea Park, London, the Sanctuary Garden is intended to support people with a range of sensory and mobility needs.
Plants and shrubs will be incorporated alongside sheltered seating, and the Garden Thyme programme will be available with trained practitioners helping people living with dementia or memory loss to engage in gentle gardening activities and nature-based crafts to enhance their wellbeing and quality of life. The garden will also be used as a resource for Thrive’s Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) courses to help develop more professionally trained STH practitioners.
Thrive STH Practitioner, Alex McDonald, says:
“We hope that health and social care providers will welcome the garden and the support that it will bring to the local community. STH is invaluable for people with early onset dementia and can have a positive impact on their quality of life. Whilst people with dementia may not be able to remember their tasks, the feelings last longer than the memories.”
Grants have been provided by the Wolfson Foundation and The National Garden Scheme for the creation of the Sanctuary Garden, and the Garden Thyme programme will be funded by the Julia Rausing Trust. The garden is expected to open in Spring 2025.
You can find out more and see a plan of the garden here: https://www.thrive.org.uk/how-we-help/what-we-do/new-and-updates/new-sanctuary-garden-at-thrive-london-for-people-with-dementia