UnitingCare Wesley Bowden : : Ashman Grove's Sensory Garden

Tuesday, 6 January, 2009

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Ashman Grove's Sensory Garden - Petal's Patch

This project began in July 2008. The idea was to build a Sensory Garden in the courtyard of Ashman Grove. The garden was officially opened on the 31st October 2008. It is a place where residents can work in as much or as little as they wish. It is a place where one can just sit in and relax.

Benefits of gardening have been documented as therapeutic and/or beneficial since the times of the ancient Egyptians when physicians prescribed walks in the garden for their patients. Horticultural Therapy has also been associated with the assistance of other proven benefits such as cognitive function, physical, psychological and social benefits.

The Sensory garden has been created as an ongoing and important component of the Leisure and Lifestyle Continuous Improvement Program of Ashman Grove.

The expected outcomes of such a garden were set, and have already been proven. They are:

To Promote Self Esteem
To Promote Mental Stimulation
To Provide Satisfaction
To Encourage Physical Stimulation
To Encourage Reminiscence
To Encourage Social Interaction
To Enhance Sensory Stimulation

Items that have been included in this project to ensure all of the five senses include:

Sight: roses, flowers
Smell: roses, mint, parsley, rosemary, basil
Taste: lemon tree, cherry tomatoes, the above listed herbs
Touch: Wooly Bush,
Sound: Wind chime

Sooz Goodes
Lifestyle Coordinator