September 26, 2014 10.22 am This story is over 114 months old

Lincoln care home garden to help residents with dementia

Seasonal garden: The garden of a Lincoln care home has been brought back to life by volunteers from Lincolnshire Co-Op, to help dementia sufferers recognise the seasons.
The team of Lincolnshire Co-Op staff refurbished the care home garden and donated a special wishing-well.

The garden of a Lincoln care home has been brought back to life by volunteers from Lincolnshire Co-op, to help dementia sufferers recognise the seasons.

Armed with paintbrushes, pallets and elbow-grease, an 11-strong team of Co-Op staff took to the Boultham House Care Home garden.

The group also installed a wishing-well feature, donated by staff member Maria Langley.

Planters and window-boxes made from recycled pallet wood were added to the site as well as outdoor furniture and a lick of paint.

The home caters for many people suffering from dementia, so the staff intend to plant the window boxes with seasonal flowers, as a way to help those with memory impairments recognise what time of year it is.

Tina Dorr, a carer at the home, said she hoped it would encourage more residents to get outside and enjoy the fresh air.

Tina said: “We’re hoping that by rejuvenating the outdoor area we’ll make it more appealing for our clients to get out into the garden, but we have thought about those who can’t get out too.

“We’re also putting up bird feeders and window boxes that our residents will be able to see from the lounges.”

Volunteer Rachel Warrington is a receptionist at Lincolnshire Co-op’s Portland Street funeral service. She said: “It’s brilliant that we’re encouraged to volunteer.

“I love crafty projects and it’s great that we’re helping create somewhere nice to sit.”