New garden aims to support people with dementia

A new sanctuary garden is opening in south-west London to support people living with dementia.

It is designed to be an accessible space for a range of sensory and mobility needs and is located in Thrive London's garden in Battersea Park.

Mental health partnership Thrive London has a programme where trained practitioners help people living with dementia or memory loss engage in gentle gardening activities.

"We look forward to welcoming people to the sanctuary garden where older visitors and people on our programmes and their carers can benefit from time in nature, therapeutic gardening and feeling part of a community," said Alex McDonald, from the organisation.

Engagement with nature and gardening drives behaviours that reduce the risks of with dementia, delaying the onset, slowing the decline and reducing social isolation, according to Thrive.

It is hoped health and social care providers will welcome the garden and the "support" it will bring to the local community.

The garden also aims to help develop more professionally trained Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) practitioners by being used as a resource within Thrive's STH courses.

STH is "invaluable" for people with early onset dementia, said Ms McDonald, who is a Thrive STH practitioner.

"Whilst people with dementia may not be able to remember their tasks, the feelings last longer than the memories," she added.

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