Gardening project launched to support people living with dementia and their carers in Derby
Our Derby City Dementia Support Service has been working in partnership with Derby County Community Trust (DCCT) to launch a gardening project for people living with dementia and their carers in Derby.
With the support of Disability Direct, the partnership have taken control of a plot within the Little Chester Allotment site in Chaddesden, to enable people living with dementia and their carers to take advantage of the health benefits of gardening.
The aim of the project is to promote social inclusion and to reduce social isolation. Being outside and taking part in activities such as gardening is a great way to promote good mental health and wellbeing.
The dementia support service and DCCT, the charitable arm of Derby County Football Club, are committed to enhancing the quality of life of everyone regardless of their diagnosis or difficulties.
Derby City Dementia Support Service provides support, information and guidance for those living with memory loss, confusion or dementia, and for their carers. The service encourages wellbeing and offers support to allow people to stay independent while adapting to the different stages of their diagnosis.
Mary Brown, Derby City Dementia Support Service Team Leader, said: “Maintaining physical activity and social interaction helps someone who has dementia to remain stimulate and feel valued. Being involved in the allotment project will really contribute to their wellbeing.
“Our team will continue to innovate and drive to provide the best service possible. Our partnership with DCCT makes it possible to offer so many more opportunities for the people we serve, long may this continue.”
In readiness for the opening of the allotment, the service sent seeds to the people they support to grow at home to enable them to watch their hard work come to fruition when the plants and flowers bloom.
Volunteers have been preparing the allotment ready for its grand opening in May by setting up the polytunnel, preparing the raised beds and planting the first lot of potatoes.
Some of the gardening equipment at the allotment has been donated by other local organisations, including; the Memory Assessment clinic at Dovedale Hospital, who donated a greenhouse, a volunteer, who has donated benches and Disability Direct, who have donated three accessible raised beds.
All of the produce from the allotment will be given back into the community and some will be used for a cookery group that Making Space and DCCT work in partnership to deliver.
Luke Wilkinson, Derby County Community Health Team Leader, said: “Over the past 12 months the partnership between us and the Derby City Dementia Support Service, has continued to grow with both of our efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“2021/22 will be a big year for both organisations and will only allow us to offer more support for the residents in the city of Derby.”
The new gardening project will run alongside the already established Capability Garden in Markeaton Park, ran by Derby City Dementia Support Service, which is attended by 30 people each week.
If you would like more information about how the Derby City Dementia Support service can help, or to access the service, email derbycity.dementia-service@makingspace.co.uk.
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