Charity donations help transform hospital garden into therapeutic, dementia friendly space

Thanks to generous donations, Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, has funded items that will help create a therapeutic, dementia-friendly courtyard garden space in Caebryn mental health unit at Prince Philip Hospital.

The NHS charity has supported the purchase of safe, durable and appropriate seating and planters for the garden. The items have helped create a sensory-rich, accessible and calming outdoor environment for individuals living with dementia and those experiencing complex mental health conditions.

The outdoor area is integrated with the occupational therapy kitchen and is used for specialist occupational therapy assessment and therapy for both community patients and inpatients, with a focus on preventing admissions.

Emma Dobson, Older Adult Mental Health Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist, spoke about how patients experience enhanced therapeutic benefits when they have access to a safe, sensory designed environment.

She said: “The outdoor space supports both group-based therapeutic interventions and one-to-one therapy sessions, while also providing opportunities for impromptu interactions with healthcare professionals. Access to natural environments has been shown to improve mood, reduce stress and increase engagement in people living with dementia and other mental health conditions.

“The funded items have helped us create a meaningful and purposefully optimised care environment that supports emotional wellbeing, cognitive stimulation and relaxation, while also encouraging social interaction and therapeutic engagement.

“We’re very grateful to donors to Hywel Dda Health Charities for helping make this happen.”

Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “The generous donations we receive are used to provide items and activities above and beyond core NHS expenditure such as more welcoming surroundings for patients, families and staff.

“We are incredibly grateful for the generous support we receive, which enables us to fund enhancements such as the new seating and planters that will make a real difference to our patients and service users.”