At St David’s Hospital, something magical happens every week.
Patients gather in the garden, not just to plant flowers or vegetables, but to plant seeds of connection, purpose, and hope. MHM Wales is proud to support this initiative in collaboration with the Occupational Therapists at Cardiff and the Vale University Health Board, as we believe in the power of nature to improve the mind, body, and spirit—especially for those living with dementia and other cognitive challenges.
When living with dementia, connection to the world around you can often feel elusive. However, through simple activities like planting, weeding, or watering, the mind and spirit respond to the natural world in ways that are healing, grounding, and deeply fulfilling. This is what therapeutic gardening is all about—a way of connecting to the present moment and to each other.
Aligning with Dementia Care Standards
The Cardiff and Vale University Health Board's Dementia Strategy 2018-2028 outlines a vision where people with dementia receive person-centred care delivered locally with kindness. By integrating therapeutic gardening into patient care,
MHM Wales supports this vision by providing activities that are not only engaging but also tailored to individual needs, promoting well-being and dignity. This approach aligns with the strategic objective to ensure that services are delivered with kindness and compassion.
The Power of Gardening for Well-being
Gardening might seem like a simple way to spend time, but it holds immense therapeutic benefits, especially for those living with dementia. The act of engaging with the earth—whether it’s planting, tending, or simply watching plants grow—has a profound impact on well-being.
Gardening encourages cognitive stimulation, enhances motor skills, and gives patients a sense of accomplishment and purpose.
Patients feel grounded as they dig their hands into the soil, feel the textures and temperatures of the plants, and witness the rewards of their hard work. Gardening offers patients the opportunity to reconnect with their sense of self and their identity, which dementia often erodes.
For those who are clinically optimised and awaiting discharge, gardening provides a sense of purpose and dignity. It also helps reduce anxiety, boost mood, and promote cognitive health, making it an invaluable activity for patients at all stages of their hospital journey.
Creating Meaningful Engagement with the Garden
At MHM Wales, we know that meaningful engagement is about doing something that matters. That’s why our gardening sessions at St David’s Hospital are designed to meet each patient where they are—in the present, in their feelings, and in their personal history. Whether you’re tending to plants or just sitting in the garden, each patient is encouraged to engage with nature at their own pace and in their own way.
The Occupational Therapists at Cardiff and the Vale University Health Board lead the sessions, offering guidance, support, and encouragement to patients. This is not about competition or pressure; it’s about creating an environment where patients can express themselves, feel empowered, and connect with their surroundings. Activities like life story writing and reminiscence therapy help patients reconnect with past experiences, bringing meaning to the gardening process and promoting a sense of self-awareness and identity.
Building Community and Connection
Gardening doesn’t just improve individual well-being; it also helps foster a sense of community. When patients come together to work on shared gardening projects, they’re not just tending to plants—they’re building relationships. Working side by side, patients interact, share, and form connections. It’s a space for social interaction that provides patients with the opportunity to develop friendships, exchange stories, and contribute to a collective goal.
At MHM Wales, we believe in person-centred support that goes beyond traditional therapeutic methods. By working alongside the Occupational Therapy team at Cardiff and the Vale University Health Board, we help patients feel connected to each other, to their environment, and to their own lives. Gardening nurtures the mind and spirit, creating lasting benefits that go beyond the physical activity of planting and tending.
Supporting Therapeutic Activities at St David’s Hospital
As part of our ongoing commitment to improving patient well-being, MHM Wales continues to provide therapeutic gardening sessions at St David’s Hospital. In collaboration with the Occupational Therapy team, we ensure that these sessions are fully integrated into the patient care plans. This ensures that each patient’s therapeutic experience is aligned with their medical treatment and recovery goals.
The gardening sessions have become a vital part of the patient care programme, offering holistic support that addresses the cognitive, emotional, and physical needs of patients. These sessions are particularly beneficial for patients who are clinically optimised and preparing to transition from the hospital to home care, providing them with the tools they need to maintain their well-being and confidence during the discharge process.
A Collaborative Effort for Lasting Impact
At MHM Wales, we are committed to ensuring that our therapeutic services are fully integrated into existing care provisions. This is why we work closely with Cardiff and the Vale University Health Board and other health professionals at St David’s Hospital to develop a comprehensive care plan for each patient.
By collaborating with doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and social workers, we ensure that therapeutic activities are complementary to medical interventions, promoting overall health and well-being.
Additionally, we continue to work with external partners like Pets as Therapy, Rubicon Dance, and The Health Charity to offer a diverse range of therapeutic experiences.
These partnerships help us provide patients with access to animal-assisted therapy, movement therapy, and holistic health services, which support emotional, cognitive, and physical health.
The Healing Power of Nature
Therapeutic gardening is more than just planting seeds; it’s about reconnecting patients with nature, identity, and purpose. It’s about offering patients the opportunity to engage in a nurturing environment that promotes self-expression, mental stimulation, and emotional health. Gardening is a gentle reminder that healing happens not just through medicine, but through connection—with others, with the world around us, and with ourselves.
We’re proud to be part of this green initiative at St David’s Hospital, where gardening is much more than an activity. It’s a means to grow together, build community, and enhance well-being for all involved. As we continue to work alongside Cardiff and the Vale Health Board, we look forward to helping more
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