After a rainy week, the sun was shining today so my 4 year old and I made it down to Springhead Park to check out the new dementia friendly garden which was unveiled yesterday during Dementia Awareness week.
Over the last three years, Dementia Friendly Rothwell, in association with Leeds City Council have researched, fundraised and created the first dementia friendly garden in a public park. The garden includes scented and colourful planting at ground level and raised beds, plenty of new benches and handrails, as well as wide paved accessible paths. The aviary has been spruced up and was looking and sounding great with lots of brightly coloured birds. My daughter very much enjoyed riding her scooter around the garden, smelling the lavender and rosemary and pausing to listen to the birds chattering and singing.
There are many proven benefits to a person’s health and wellbeing from spending time in the fresh air, taking in the sights, smells, and sounds. These benefits of course can apply to any and all of us and you can read more about the background and intended benefits of the project here. This project really has successfully created a lovely, thoughtful area of the park which can be enjoyed by all members of the community. Thank you very much, we will certainly be visiting again soon.
To find out more about local support for individuals and families affected by dementia
