Gardening
Lockdowns have taught many of us to love the outdoors. Being outdoors or in our gardens relaxes us, connects us with nature and brings meaningful activity into our lives.
The natural environment engages all of our senses, helping us to be mindful and to live in the moment. People living with Dementia, can often only live in the moment and so the enrichment that outdoors brings is the perfect way to bring a sense of fulfilment to that moment.
Benefits of Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH)
Spending time in the natural environment of a garden has been shown to have many beneficial and restorative effects. A large body of evidence demonstrates a variety of benefits that include:
- Psychological restoration
- Increased general mental well-being
- Improvement in dementia-related symptoms
- Improved self-esteem, confidence and mood
- Increased attentional capacity and cognition
- Improved happiness, satisfaction and quality of life
- Sense of peace, calm or relaxation
- Feelings of safety and security
- Increased social contact, inclusion and sense of belonging
- Increase in meaningful activity and personal achievement
- Improved sleep
- Improved activity levels
- Improved awareness – Multi-sensory engagement and associated joy
- Increased verbal expression
FLOURISH HORTICULTURE in other locations
Our Meeting Centre programme provides a person-centred approach to horticultural therapy, for many people living with dementia. The emphasis is on providing opportunities for social interaction and meaningful activity, whilst benefitting from the calming and restorative effects of natural surroundings.
Regular garden-related, social and intergenerational activities take place at our Dementia-friendly garden spaces: the sensory area in the Public Gardens; various places around Alton town and the Allotment (109) at the Wooteys / Spitalfields site. New site coming soon at Anstey Park.
The majority of our gardening takes place in raised beds and is easily accessible. See our Home Page for details of forthcoming dementia-friendly horticulture sessions in Alton and further afield.
FLOURISH IN THE FOREST
A relatively new programme which combines Dementia-friendly Alton’s FLOURISH Horticulture Therapy with Forest leisure activities for carers and young family members. Guided Forest Wellbeing Walks, Inclusive Cycling, outdoor Table Tennis, Mini-Badminton, Yoga, Crafts and more.
Alice Holt Activity Centre is in Bucks Horn Oak, near Farnham
Sat Nav Postcode: GU10 4LS
OS Grid Ref SU 813 417
Please book in advance if you can as there are a maximum of 24 spaces available for each date.
Timetable / Activities for the Day – Choose between Yoga / Horticulture / Guided Walk & Relaxation / Accessible bikes/ Regular bikes offered at each session time. Other activities will be made available on the day
1000 – 1015 – Arrive at the Activity Centre and book in for day / sessions – tea and coffee available
1030 – 1130 – Gentle Yoga with Sue Tupper
1015 – 1230 – Morning Session – Inclusive bikes, Regular bikes, Guided Nature Walk
1230 – 1300 – Break ( light refreshments for lunch provided or purchase your own from on-site catering facilities )
1330 – 1545 – Afternoon Session – Choose from Horticulture, Regular bike, Guided Nature Walk, Nature based crafts in the Activity Centre with Dementia Friendly Hampshire, Garden Boules, or just time for a chat
1545 – 1600 – Catch up and chat at the Activity Centre / Feedback for future events
https://goo.gl/maps/4vDMfrrAdEXESE7E8
Dates for 2026:
7th March
4th April
2nd May
6th June
4th July
1st Aug
5th Sept
3rd October
7th November
5th December
Please complete our FLOURISH IN THE FOREST BOOKING FORM below if you would like to come along and join us – just so we know that you are coming.
A more detailed registration can be completed on or after your first visit.
No data will be shared outside Dementia-friendly Alton.
We look forward to welcoming you there!