Avalon Sensory Garden

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, behavior 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.

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 is planning a Ride for Dementia event scheduled for 15th December, 2024. This event involves a train of bike riding round Bridgwater township and dedicating ourselves to spreading the word about the importance of the garden. To underscore their belief and commitment, Avalon staff are willing to support the event in every capacity possible for them in order to actualize the creation of the sensory garden.

We will 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.