Working with Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity, we provide dementia-friendly gardening and green crafts for patients and their families at Bristol Royal Infirmary and Weston General.
Sanctuary Square at the BRI
Helping to transform the garden into a fully-accessible space for older patients, we have been delivering weekly dementia-friendly gardening and green crafts sessions at Sanctuary Square since 2023.
Offering patients and their loved ones access to meaningful activity away from the ward, our therapeutic horticultural sessions have proved to improve mood, increase mobility and nurture relationships between patients, family members, and hospital staff.
Everyone should have the chance to come here, it uplifts the spirits. This is so lovely in the fresh air.
The walls close in on the ward, but being outside is therapeutic.
It’s so beautiful here, you can just let all of your troubles disappear! The walls close in on the ward, but being outside is therapeutic.
I didn’t even know this was here, this is where people go to get their brains back in control. In the hospital, you feel like you’re nobody, nowhere – so this is very necessary.
Rainbow Garden at Weston General Hospital
Following the success of the gardening activities in Bristol, plans to roll out the sessions to Weston General Hospital were announced in Autumn 2024.
Teaming up with the Dementia, Delirium and Falls team, our therapeutic horticulture sessions at Rainbow Garden are similarly designed to help patients grow in confidence, reduce hospital stays, and bring joy and comfort to the lives of patients, loved ones and staff.
I’m having a wonderful afternoon; it’s the best time I’ve had in ages.
I feel so lucky to be here.
I’ll remember today forever!
To find out more about our hospital gardening sessions, call 0117 377 4756 or email info@aliveactivities.org.
Discover more about our work with Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity here.
Other Community Gardening Opportunities
Alive are proud to offer a variety of therapeutic horticulture opportunities across our community. Find more about our other gardens and projects here.
Supporting Our Community Gardening
From dementia-friendly allotments to communal spaces and hospital gardens, our gardening work relies on generous support from our community.
Discover ways to support us here.
Volunteering
We are always looking for volunteers to support our Community Gardening and other work. If you want to support us through volunteering, find out more here.
Community Gardening Newsletter
The Community Gardening team sends out occasional newsletters, subscribe here.