“The transformation of the shared gardens has created attractive and serene spaces, natural ambience and personal experiences centred around moving more to support recovery of patients and facilitate valuable opportunities to enjoy physical activity in accessible and meaningful ways. This project has reflected the fundamental needs and wishes of patients, staff and visitors.” Paths for All

The improvements include changes to the existing layout by creating continuous circular pathways, widening paths for accessible access, larger hard surfaces for various types of seating, facilitating group activities and offer increased space for wheelchair/ rollator users. Existing furniture has been repaired and different types of seating added, facilitating sitting in large or small groups, under shelter or on one’s own. Planting areas have been improved with colourful sensory planting, edible planting as well as wheelchair accessible planters for patients to grow their own plants.

Paths for All Strength and Balance posts encourage gentle movement in between short walks. A series of dementia-friendly nature boards by Better Company within the gardens, offer a deep delve into the natural world. And Artist Alec Finlay, created bespoke ‘poem-objects’ – a suite of garden tools such as watering cans, seed trays and bird boxes adorned with poems to rekindle fond memories and past experiences centred around nurturing and tending to plants, colours and seasonal cycles.

Photo credit: Paths for All