New dementia project demonstrates benefits of allotments
People suffering from dementia are being offered the chance to get out and enjoy pottering around on an allotment thanks to Age UK Exeter and Exeter City Council.
Linking Lives is a new project being rolled out by Age UK Exeter.
With funding from Age UK nationally five pilot projects across the country have been selected to try out innovative ideas that may help people newly diagnosed with dementia to live well and enjoy life.
The Exeter project allows people who have been recently diagnosed with dementia to meet up with others, share their experiences and make new friends. Family members or main carers will also be able to attend.
A number of activities are being planned, including weekly sessions on a plot at the City Council-owned Guys and Hylton Allotments in Exwick.
Project co-ordinator Corine Bailey, of Age UK Exeter, said: "We'll be doing a variety of activities that the group members have decided to do themselves but one of the things we'll be doing is getting out and about on the allotment to grow some fruit and veg and making us of the outdoor space for other ideas too!
"There is overwhelming evidence that there are increased health and wellbeing benefits to being out in the open air. The atmosphere at Guys and Hylton is amazing, the people there are very friendly and our plot even has three fruit trees on it.
"We hope that through this work, families facing this challenging time will be able to find support from each other as well as benefiting from being outdoors and trying things out that are not just fun but meaningful too. If you want to join the project as a participant or volunteer we would love to hear from you."
Cllr Keith Owen, Lead Councillor for Environment, Health and Wellbeing, said: "This is an extremely worthwhile project that will deliver real benefits to the lives of dementia sufferers and their families."
The project gets underway on Wednesday 1 April.
To help make the allotment area accessible for everyone, the groups hope to construct some raised beds and store equipment in a shed. Age UK Exeter would be very grateful for any donations of materials that would help them keep the costs down.
For more information about the project or to help out, contact Corinne Bailey at Age UK Exeter, on 01392 202092 or email c.bailey@ageukexeter.org.uk
