Avalon Sensory Garden Fundraiser

Help Us Create a Healing Space for Avalon’s Residents with Dementia – Support Our Sensory Garden Project

Imagine waking up one day and not recognizing the faces of the people you love or losing precious memories that once defined who you are. This is the reality for millions living with dementia; a condition that not only impacts memory but also affects mood, behaviour and the ability to perform even the simplest daily tasks. Nevertheless, people living with dementia deserve a life filled with moments of peace, joy and connection.

This is why friends of Avalon (A non-profit making group) is embarking on a mission to create a Sensory Garden—a unique therapeutic space designed to nurture Avalon's residents' senses and restore their sense of calm.

The sensory Garden Established on 29th MAY 2023 has progressed successfully over the years. bringing the community together to create something special for our nursing home. The vast space has the potential to be a sanctuary for the residents of Avalon. With your help we can make this happen.

A sensory garden is more than just flowers and greenery; it is a sanctuary that uses the beauty of nature to help people reconnect with themselves and others. For the residents, this garden will provide a place to wander safely, breathe in the fragrance of flowers, feel the earth between their fingers and be serenaded by the gentle sounds of nature. These simple experiences can reduce anxiety, improve mood and even spark memories that seemed lost forever.

But we need your help to make this vision a reality.

Why a Sensory Garden?

1. For the Residents: Many of Avalon's residents live with the daily challenges of dementia, which can bring confusion, fear and isolation. This sensory garden will provide a therapeutic oasis, where nature’s healing power can soothe and calm, fostering moments of peace that are essential for their well-being.

2. For Avalon Care Home: A sensory garden will create a comforting and enriching space for families and caregivers to connect with residents. It will also enhance Avalon's environment, making it a more welcoming and stimulating home for those it serve.

3. For the Care Team: Avalon's hardworking staff members give so much to care for the residents. This garden will serve as an outdoor respite, allowing them to refresh and return to their caregiving duties with renewed energy and compassion.

4. For the Environment: By planting native flora, composting and reducing waste, the garden will contribute to local biodiversity and support the UK’s net-zero carbon goals, creating a small but meaningful environmental impact.

How You Can Help Us Grow This Dream

To bring this garden to life, we need to raise funds to cover the costs of landscaping, plants, seating and sensory features like water installations and wind chimes. Your donation will go directly towards making this garden a safe and welcoming sanctuary for Avalon’s residents.

To show our commitment to this cause, Friends of Avalon group arranged a Christmas Ride out with over 60 motorcycles attending on the day .The event which was scheduled for 15th December, 2024 was a successful event with ITV news crew covering the event. Family and friends came along for the day. We had entertainment, tea/coffee and cake sale.

On the day in total with your Go fund me donations we raised a huge!..... £775! Taking our grand total since the start of the project to £9948.60!!

This event involved a mass ride around Bridgwater township and dedicating themselves to spreading the word about the importance of the garden. To underscore their belief and commitment, Avalon staff were willing to support the event in every capacity possible. volunteering and offering their support to the cause.

The sensory garden will be not only beneficial to its residents and loved ones , but the hard working, dedicated staff . Providing a therapeutic space to take breaks, and collect thoughts. Which will in turn promote better mental and physical wellbeing for all.

The latest fundraising event will take place on Monday 3rd of March

SPIN INTO SPRING !

Avalon nursing home is hosting an in house bike ride, which will involve a static exercise bike, which has been kindly donated to support the event.

Visitors and staff will be invited to Dress up! ,Get fit ! and have FUN!! Taking turns cycling to go the distance of 194 miles.

We are cycling from Avalon to Butterfly lodge in Plymouth which is our furthest sister care home. (194miles) there and back.

If you would like to sponsor this event and bring us closer to achieving our goal, please do so here.

All donations and greatly appreciated and with you help and support you can bring us closer to making this dream a reality!

We will continue to document every step which showcases the impact of your donation to the lives of Avalon’s residents. Through photos, videos and updates, you will see how this garden blossom into a healing space filled with life and love.

Together, let us build a space where memories can bloom and peace can grow. Thank you for helping us create this sanctuary for Avalon’s residents and supporting a project that will truly change lives. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to realizing this dream.

Join us in making Avalon’s Sensory Garden a place of joy, memory and healing.