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A bespoke therapy garden designed to support people with dementia has been unveiled in Bromsgrove.

Meadow Green – the newly named garden at Meadow Ward in Bromsgrove has undergone a complete transformation to create a specialist therapy and sensory garden for patients in their care.

The ward run by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust is situated within New Haven, on the site of Princess of Wales Community Hospital and provides specialist inpatient care and treatment for older adults with dementia.

The garden has undergone extensive groundwork and landscaping, making way for the new garden buildings including a corner shop and potting shed; designed to recreate familiar everyday environments for patients.

The building interiors are fully customisable and can be transformed with artwork and props to replicate a village shop, a hairdressers and a pub.

Robert Mackie, Director of Finance at the Trust said, “We’re incredibly proud to unveil Meadow Green following its transformation into a multi-purpose sensory garden.

“The project, which was initiated by staff on the ward, sought to create a safe space to engage patients in everyday activities they might experience outside of a ward environment.

“As you can see, this vision has become a reality, but this wouldn’t have been possible without the support of colleagues from across the Trust, including our Estates and Facilities Team, Finance Team, the staff on Meadow Ward, as well as the Trust’s Charitable Funds scheme, which part-funded the project.

I know these facilities will bring joy to patients and staff alike for many years to come.”

Clare McFadyen, Occupational Therapist on the ward said, “We are delighted to have this therapy environment for our patients. 

"The multisensory, multifunctional space enables our patients to engage in a range of meaningful, purposeful activities of daily living that research evidence tells us are important for health and wellbeing. Assessments and observations are already highlighting the positive impact ‘Meadow Green’ is having on patient health and wellbeing”

The ward’s multidisciplinary team, which includes specialist dementia nurses and therapists are passionate about engaging patients in meaningful activities specifically designed to improve their wellbeing.

The new garden will help to support these goals, while supporting the physical and mental health of patients.

The layout, materials and functionality of the garden have been carefully designed with people with dementia in mind.

The project was partly funded by the Trust’s capital scheme together with charitable funds; money used to support patients, service users, families and staff by providing 'added extras' that are over and above that provided by core NHS funding.

For more information on making a donation to the Trust, please visit the website.

Pictured: Sarah - Ward Manager, Clare - Therapist with Robert Mackie - Director of Finance and Mike Taylor - Capital Programme Manager prior to the garden transformation

Transformed: A multi-purpose garden building now stands in place of an old patio and shelter. 

Multi-functional: The space can be transformed into a pub, a cafe or a hair salon based on the patient's preference.