Home Meadow officially opens new tearoom and sensory garden

A new sensory garden and a tearoom where visitors can rest and relax have been officially opened at Home Meadow care home in Toft, Cambridgeshire.

Both projects have come to fruition thanks to the staff team at the home who have been working hard to make the most of the lovely surroundings for residents, relatives and visitors to the home in Comberton Road.

The garden and ‘The Teapot Café’ were officially opened with a celebration and ribbon cutting recently. The sensory garden, designed with stimulating the senses of those living with dementia in mind, includes a water feature, windchimes and raised beds with colourful flowers and fragrant herbs. The tearoom provides a place for residents to take their relatives to catch up over fresh tea and coffee.

Home Manager Leena Oni said, “We are delighted that both these projects are now complete and ready for our residents to make use of. With the lovely weather we have had the garden has been well used already and everyone is enjoying it very much. It is a work in progress so we may well add additional features in the future.

“Both the sensory garden and the tearoom make the best use of the space and the large gardens which we have here at Home Meadow, providing the best care and activities for our residents.”

Being out in the fresh air is good for wellbeing and growing things can be a boost for health esteem. Research shows that people living with dementia benefit from all types of sensory stimulation – smelling, touching, looking and listening . What’s more being in the garden –

• Reduces stress and can reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety
• Can make you happy and increase levels of serotonin in the body
• Improves hand strength and dexterity
• Gives you a boost of vitamin D helping your bones and immune system
• Is good exercise
• Stimulates conversation and memories of garden activity in the past

Home Meadow provides residential and dementia care to people living within Cambridgeshire. The location of the home is stunning and rural with meadows directly behind the home and lovely views from the windows.

The home is part of the Healthcare Homes family of 48 care homes and 11 homecare branches across the South and East of the UK. The home is rated Good by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and has 9.5 out of 10 score on independent review site carehome.co.uk

To find about more about the residential, nursing and dementia care offered at Home Meadow, call 01223 632655 or visit healthcarehomes.co.uk

Pip Rich