BUPA initiatives

Sensory Garden Project

Last year, BUPA Care Services and Community Connections launched Sensory Gardens - a gardening project designed to engage members of the local community, relatives, residents, friends and staff in the creation of new sensory gardens for 59 of BUPA's care homes.

The idea was to adapt an existing area, or create a new garden area that appealed to all the senses through the use of colours, smells, textures and sounds. Residents, family, friends and the care homes' local communities reaped the health benefits associated with gardening activities and now are able to take advantage of the sensory stimulation.

Each participating home received:

• a grant to spend on plants, tools and garden features, from benches to fountains and gazebos
• support from BUPA Community Connections to engage the local community in the project
• specialist advice from horticultural charity, Thrive*, on creating a sensory garden
• help from Corporate Communications and Care Services Marketing to promote the success of Sensory Gardens

The Sensory Garden project ran from March until the end of summer when the gardens were at their best. During the summer participating homes held activities to thank all of the people who contributed to the success of the project, giving all of the participants an opportunity to view the Sensory Gardens in all their glory.

* Thrive is a national horticultural charity that uses gardening to improve the lives of disabled, disadvantaged and older people. Since Thrive began in 1978, it has helped thousands of people to improve their health, skills and quality for life. For more information, log on to www.thrive.org.uk.