Our impact Our impact Dementia-friendly garden at the BRI and Weston General Hospital Supporting patients with Dementia In 2023, your support transformed the Sanctuary Garden in the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) to make it accessible for all patients. We've built wheelchair-accessible troughs, added a waterproof shed to house the tools, and purchased lots of compost, plants and seeds. The gardens offer a space for older patients to engage in meaningful activities, away from the ward, which will improve their mood, increase their mobility and nurture relationships between patients, family members and hospital staff. This will ultimately lead to quicker and safer discharges from the ward. We've partnered with a local organisation, Alive Activities, to offer dementia-friendly gardening and craft sessions for patients and their loved ones. Every week patients from the older care wards in the Bristol Royal Infirmary have the opportunity to take part in this fantastic project for some horticulture therapy in the gardens. Following the success of the gardening activities in Bristol, in Autumn 2024, working with the UHBW dementia/delirium falls team and Alive Activities, this initiative has been rolled out in the Rainbow Garden at Weston General Hospital. We also have ambitions to refurbish the Rainbow Garden to ensure this green space is appropriate for the sessions and accessible for patients, to include wheelchair accessible raised troughs, accessible tables and chairs for activities, as well as a shed, tools and resources such as compost, plants and adaptive tools. Your ongoing support will help us to continue funding the gardening activities at both hospitals and could also help fund the refurbishment of the garden at Weston General Hospital. MAKE A REGULAR GIFT The difference you've made The transformation of the Sanctuary Garden has got patients moving and talking more than they ever thought they could. In fact, a small team of physiotherapists were amazed to see patient Patricia walk around the garden after weeks of struggling to leave her bed. Another patient, Shirley, has communication difficulties, but after a few sessions was reminiscing about special memories in her grandad’s garden. Another patient has had a prolonged hospital stay and has been really looking forward to going back home. He said the gardening sessions have really helped him, from managing the small walk from the ward to the garden, to being able to create something in the garden project has boosted his confidence and it made him feel worthwhile. Those who participated all verbally communicated that they had enjoyed their time with us and presented improvement, there were lots of smiles and sharing of stories and skills all round. "I just want you to know how much we appreciate the money we have received for care of elderly and patients with dementia, here is a patient who attended the gardening session yesterday using one of the wheelchairs and taking advantage of the Sarabac headset to help him hear and partake in the session. None of this would have been possible without the grant. It means the world to us and the patients." Said Linda Hodgkinson, Dementia/delirium falls team These magical moments would not be possible without the garden and dedicated activity sessions - thank you! SUPPORT MORE PROJECTS LIKE THIS Thanks to your support, the dementia garden project has been able to be extended until 2025. With your ongoing support, we can strive to make sure patients have the best possible experience during a stay in hospital just like the dementia garden has had on so many. Donations ensure we can go the extra mile for you and everyone who means the world to you. DONATE TO help continue this project Manage Cookie Preferences