Selston care home residents getting green-fingered in new summer gardening project
Green-fingered residents at Wren Hall Care Home in Selston are taking part in a summer-long gardening project to enhance mental and physical wellbeing.
The home, which is part of the Church Farm Care group, has launched Nurture with Nature, which will see its residents explore meaningful gardening activities to help boost wellbeing.
Facilitated by the Queen's Institute of Community Nursing (QICN) charity, the initiative involves residents living with dementia getting ‘hands-on’ with planting seeds in the Nottingham Road home’s gardens.
The aim of the project is to provide residents, who are referred to as family members by the home, with enjoyment, independence and a sense of connection and calm through nature, as they maintain their flowerbeds and plants throughout the summer and beyond.
Research shows that gardening can act as a powerful, non-pharmacological intervention to significantly improve the quality of life for individuals living with dementia.
As rich, multi-sensory spaces, gardens feature vibrant colours and familiar scents that stimulate the senses and trigger long-term memory recall, offering deep comfort to those experiencing memory loss.
Engaging in predictable tasks like watering or sowing can also provide a calming routine that naturally reduces stress and anxiety, while nurturing living plants instils a vital sense of purpose, pride and personal autonomy.
Patricia Seida, a relative of a family member, who is helping with the Nurture to Nature Project, said: “Supporting the family members with the project has been an absolute privilege.
"It is incredibly moving to watch everyone working together, getting their hands in the soil, and sharing stories as they tend to the flowers. You can see firsthand how being out in the garden brings them such a profound sense of calm and purpose.
"It is a beautiful way for everyone to connect, nurture the plants and simply enjoy the outdoors.”
Lucy Atkinson, director at Church Farm Care, added: “From enjoying a spot of gardening to smelling a variety of beautiful herbs, our family members have loved being outdoors.
"The project has already sparked so many meaningful memories. It’s wonderful to see everyone engaging with nature, sharing conversations and enjoying our outdoor space together.”
For more information on Wren Hall, visit churchfarmcare.co.uk/wren-hall