“Access to gardens can enhance focus and attention, as well as reducing anxiety and boosting self-confidence. Additionally, the garden can be considered a dynamic environment offering diverse opportunities for learning.” –[‘Green Spaces – Outdoor Environments for Adults with Autism’ by Katie Gaudion and Chris McGinley.] At Apple House care homes we know that our outdoor spaces are as vital as indoor space for those who reside at our services. For many years we have actively encouraged residents to take ownership of their garden space, to use it in a way meaningful to them. Perhaps this year, even more than previously, …
We are mad for bug houses! What are bug houses? Insects are so beneficial for our gardens, or at least some are! Lurking in the lupins and hiding in the hyacinths are a plethora of absolute pests such as aphids, mealybugs and other nasty leaf-chompers. We don’t like pesticides. We love our gardens and our vegetable patches. The natural solution is to attract the ‘right’ kind of bugs to battle pests and to ensure the eco-balance of our beautiful outdoor spaces. This is why the latest additions to our garden at Redcroft care home are Bug Houses! These little boxes …
There have been many studies that highlight the many benefits of accessible gardening. This means that a garden, and gardening, is designed in such a way as to not form barriers to those with a wish to garden or to touch and enjoy the many sensory delights that a garden can yield. Our homes each have large and varied gardens: Apple House has one hundred feet of lawn, of blooms and fruit trees that produce apples for baking. Summerwood is in the process of further developing its sensory garden which is one of two quite distinct gardens private to the home, …
Leading a busy life is something we all take for granted. There never seems to be enough time to do everything we would really like. For people with learning difficulties having access to enough meaningful tasks can be challenging, especially in an age of austerity and cuts; a time where benefits and services are being slashed and everyone is looking at new ways to save money. People with LD need support to access all the activities they would like to do and often find that having the right motivation is the key. For that they need dedicated staff who know and understand their needs. …
