A new dementia-friendly sensory garden has been officially opened at Thurston Library.
The library’s new sensory garden has been created by volunteers and has been funded by Community Infrastructure Levy money via Thurston Parish Council and the Friends of Thurston Library.
Local businesses and individuals made donations of plants and gardening equipment, with horticultural and construction specialists providing their expertise too.
The aim has been to transform the library’s largely unused outdoor space to provide a garden area for everyone of all ages in the community to spend time in. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the garden, children and adults alike.
The garden has been arranged around the five senses and is geared towards helping anyone with dementia enjoy it, although it’s designed to benefit visitors of any age. There is a herb garden for taste and smell, lamb’s ear plants and grasses for touch, a gentle flowing water feature and a bench under a tree so people can sit and enjoy the sounds. Colourful plants and shrubs, especially red ones are also visually stimulating.
Sheila Dawes, Vice Chair of the Friends of Thurston Library, together with other members of the Friends group, have devised, designed and led the project work.
Ellie Longman, Library Manager at Thurston Library, said,
“It has been wonderful seeing the transformation from an unused space into a welcoming, restful, beautiful garden and delightful extension to our friendly library. We’re so grateful to all the volunteers who have enthusiastically come forward. They have worked so hard and brought their expertise to the scheme.”
The garden was recently officially opened at a special event to celebrate the new garden with the Chair of Suffolk Libraries, Debra Reay cutting the ribbon.
