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Sensory Community Garden.
Following a period of consultation with all who use the Centre and other interested groups. We applied for grants and raised funds to transform the land behind the Centre into a Sensory Garden. Awards for All and The E.R.YC. Carers Support provided the grants that made this project possible.
The following list has been produced to provide a summary of the key issues that were considered relating to the establishment of the Sensory Garden.
Sounds: - Water Feature, Wind chimes, (outdoor speaker system – sea shore sounds etc)
Sight: - Bright & Vibrant colours, plus pastel shades, contrast (Blac
k & White) etc. Shapes, angles, Patterns, Plants of different heights, forms, shapes, hedges for boundaries.
Images/ pictures of leaves, flowers, animals etc and backdrop scenery.- Mural on Container – seaside theme. Statue. Mosaics.
Touch: - Plants with textures, wooden panels, metal, plastic and other materials. Height of water feature so that those in wheel chairs can touch the water.
SAFETY – safe for toddlers and those with disabilities. Warm and cold surfaces. Tactile plants, tree bark etc. All potential Risks were fully considered.
Smell : - Plants with unusual smells and others with recognisable scents, flowers, lavender, & herbs etc.
Beneficiaries: The elderly & Disabled living locally. Mums & Tots Group
One off attendance by members of other charities etc.
Other self help groups who hire rooms or wish only to bring a group to spend time in the garden. Suffers of Alzheimer’s and other memory lose/ impairment would find beneficial.
Accessibility: Paths need to be level, wide enough for a wheelchair and places for two people to pass in wheel chairs. Some raised beds at the height to suit wheelchair users. User friendly. Guide rails.
Shelter: - One area where users can sit and relax and be sheltered from the rain and the distance is not too far away from the building.
Seated Area : - Near to water feature to promote relaxation, a time to think and share memories.
Education: - Information plaques to provide names of plants and animals etc and information about how plants grow etc. Suitable for primary and secondary school age groups.
Privacy: - Garden to be screened off from public areas the field/ the road) to reduce risks distractions, noise and unwanted attention from those who would wish to cause nuisance/ vandalism.
Maintenance: - Easily maintained, many plants perennials and little work needed to maintain. Path ways hard surface, not bark or grass etc.
The Focus:
Simple & Intuitive: “A Journey of Sensory Experiences”
To stimulate the senses, to encourage, to intrigue, to relax, to provide a pleasant safe and attractive environment. To provide a new resource that benefits the local community that is accessible.
Last Updated (Wednesday, 30 June 2010 08:56)
