TP Central Bedfordshire Sensory Garden

Who We Help, Why We Help & the Difference It Makes

What We Do

Residential support is based on the right of people with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs to have control over the support they receive, who they live with and how they live their lives. We assume that each person can make choices about how to live their own lives, even if the person does not make choices in conventional ways.

Residential support is not a prescriptive model and can look very different for different people. Sometimes they may need 24/7 support where they live, while others will be supported through additional 1:1 hours. It always means that a person has their own private space as well as access to shared spaces with other residents. People retain access to broader community resources and support networks as they wish.

Enabling quality of life

Meeting each resident’s individual needs is our primary objective, but one shared need is in maintaining health and wellbeing. Eating a balanced diet, taking regular exercise, and serving a purpose are all part of feeling happy and able to cope with daily life stresses.

Volunteer

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Community Trail

This project took place in 2023 and has now been completed. This project takes place in a residential setting so the location has been changed to protect the privacy of the residents.

What was the project aim?

This project was applied for by our TP service in Central Bedfordshire. The project aimed to design and create a complete interactive and sensory, garden, coproduced with the residents, staff and family members with help from the local community.

- Connect: Working as a team with each other, residents, staff, family and volunteer’s- planning, building and socialising achieving the same result. Will build value, relationships, wellbeing and help build a buffer against mental health issues and resilience.

- Be Active: Working in the garden with the project, building all the areas, Tending, cleaning, clearing and supporting all areas and aspects of the gardens, will encourage positive mind-sets and physical health. Encouraging everyone to interact outside, however much they want too.

- Take Notice: This will strengthen and broaden awareness, being there in the present, will help our residents and staff to reaffirm life priorities and take heed of the here and now. Listening to each other, working together, speaking out and understanding.This awareness should encourage our residents to make positive choices.

- Learn: Building new life skills, to grown from seed, nurture, plant and take to the table.

Trying new activities, outside their back door, with volunteers, interacting and help our residents to learn, build their self-esteem, and social interaction. Growing, towards a more active life.

Engaging in educational and activity will help our resident’s combat depression and other illnesses, promoting their wellbeing.

- Give: The residents, engaging in social and within the community together, will support their wellbeing and give them and interest that they can build on. The garden will always be there as a legacy to grown with and onwards

What were the project outcomes?

The entire team of recovery workers, along with the individuals they supported and their family members, actively participated in the renovations, from heavy lifting to making tea and coffee and providing delicious cakes. The generous donations they received through Facebook Marketplace and local collections were incredibly heartwarming. The immediate success and visual transformation uplifted everyone's spirits. Sitting in the front garden allowed them to savour the peace, tranquillity, and vibrant colours while reflecting on their hard work. Everyone shared their ideas, thoughts, and wishes, helping to bring them to life. They were thrilled to see the seeds growing into seedlings and to welcome a variety of birds and insects that visited their garden.