Community fundraiser launched to create sensory garden at Sutton on Sea care home
Care home hopes new garden will help residents stay connected to the community
A community fundraiser has been launched to transform an unused outdoor space at Summerfield Rest Home in Sutton on Sea into a dementia-friendly sensory garden.
The project aims to turn a central concrete area of the home into a welcoming garden space for residents, their families and visiting community groups.
Plans include sensory planting, seating areas and space for activities designed to support wellbeing and social connection.
Victoria Ross, activity coordinator at Summerfield, said the garden would help strengthen the home’s close links with the local community.
“We have lots of groups coming in to visit us already, from Rotary volunteers to dog owners and local preschool children,” she said. “This garden would give us a calm, purpose-built space where residents can relax, meet new people and really enjoy those visits.”
The home is also hoping to use the garden to host dementia-friendly barbecues and events for people living in the wider community.
Victoria said residents consistently say they value getting out, meeting new people, listening to music and spending time with animals.
“Just because someone lives in a care home doesn’t mean they should be excluded from the community,” she said. “Our whole ethos is about keeping people connected.”
A fundraising page is now live to help bring the project to life, with supporters encouraged to get involved and help create a space that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.