News / Alive Activities
Second dementia-friendly garden to open in south Bristol
“If everyone in the world were as nice as everyone is here it would be a much better place to live in!”
If the maxim ‘older is wiser’ is truly to be believed, it might finally be time to accept that the best place to be is always in the garden.
Older people have been raving about spending time in a singular community allotment in north Bristol, and now Brislington residents will get a chance to dig in, get their hands dirty and experience the benefits for themselves.
is needed now More than ever
Alive, a charity that runs gardening sessions for older people, opened their first Bristol dementia-friendly community allotment in Brentry as ‘a fully accessible haven away from the hurly burly.’
Participants say they “always feel a great sense of calm” in the allotment, having “so much fun” at the sessions that create an “incredible atmosphere”, and that being in the space is “like freedom.”
One regular member said: “This is a truly magical place…there is such a positive and warm atmosphere.” Another added: “I love coming here, I love gardening, and I can come here and do what I want.”
Alive are now expanding their offering with the launch of a second plot south of the river at the end of March.
The new site at Talbot Road allotments in Brislington will host free weekly gardening, green craft, socialising and signposting sessions to those living with dementia in the community and their carers.
It will be ‘a safe, welcoming and stimulating space’, with wheelchair-friendly paths, raised beds and an accessible toilet.
The approach is central to Alive’s vision of a world where older people live lives full of joy, meaning and connection.
Mayor Marvin Rees opened the Brentry allotment which has featured on Gardener’s World – photo: Alive
Community gardening manager Abi Sweet says opening the new site is ‘a dream come true’.
“The response to our first site in north Bristol has been phenomenal and is a real testament to the benefit therapeutic horticulture can have on the lives of older people and those living with dementia,” she says, adding that regular members often say the sessions are the highlight of their week.
“Carers tell us it’s heartwarming to see their loved ones happy again,” says Abi. “It’s a real privilege to be able to now offer this to our community in south Bristol too.”
The site will be opened by BBC Radio Bristol presenter Joe Sims at 2pm on Tuesday, March 26. Friends of the charity, future participants, volunteers and community members who would like to attend can RSVP at communitygardening@aliveactivities.org
Talbot Road allotment will start welcoming participants to sessions every Tuesday afternoon at 1:30-3:30pm from April 2. Contact Abi on 07379 498 764 or email communitygardening@aliveactivities.org to find out more.
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