Care home wins funds for multi-sensory garden

A MULTI-sensory garden is to be created at a Bolton care home following a successful funding bid.

Lever Edge Care Home in Great Lever, was awarded £6,100 by Bolton Council as part of the Bolton Transformation Fund.

The money will be used to create a colourful, edible garden with installations to stimulate both sight, sound and smell.

The garden is located at the front of the care home and will be open to the community – with schools and other groups invited visit.

Fruit trees, herbs, peas and tomatoes are just some of the produce the care home is hoping to grow with local help.

Anyone who participates in helping to maintain the garden will have the opportunity to harvest the crops for their use.

The care home’s residents are already looking forward to tasting the first of their fruit and vegetables, said home manager Karen McMahon.

She said: “We were absolutely delighted to win the funding bid for our multi-sensory garden and can’t wait to get started with the installation work.

“The residents are thrilled they will be able to grow their own produce and look forward to harvesting later in the year for the kitchen to create some wonderful dishes.

“The garden will also be a great place to spend some time during the warmer months, as there will be lots to see, hear and smell.

“Multi-sensory activities have a proven therapeutic effect for the elderly, especially those with dementia, as it can help to alleviate confusion, depression and anxiety.”

Building work on the garden will begin in April, with local community group Great Lever Connected carrying out the work, including installing chimes, ornaments and other audiovisual features.

After the plants have had time to bed in and grow, an official opening ceremony will take place later in the year.