Thank You to Hadrian Trust: Supporting Green Dementia Care in Our Community

We are sincerely grateful to Hadrian Trust for their recent award of £500 to support the development and delivery of our Green Dementia Care programme. This generous grant enables us to continue creating meaningful, accessible opportunities for people living with dementia and those who support them to connect with nature in ways that are creative, multisensory, and responsive to individual needs.

In a community context where resources are stretched and demand for supportive services continues to grow, small grants like this make a tangible difference. They allow us to plan sessions with care, resource activities properly, and ensure that what we offer remains inclusive, thoughtful, and grounded in dignity and respect.

What is Green Dementia Care?

Green Dementia Care focuses on creative, multisensory ways of engaging with nature. While some sessions may take place outdoors when the weather and accessibility allow, just as often the programme brings elements of the natural world indoors. This approach recognises the realities of the English climate, varying mobility and energy levels, and the need for activities that can be delivered in community venues, care settings, and shared indoor spaces.

Nature-based engagement can take many forms. For some participants, this might involve planting seeds at a table, tending to small pots, or exploring natural textures and scents. For others, it might include working with pre-collected leaves and flowers to create simple nature bracelets, using pressed or bought flowers to create laminated bookmarks, or creating paper flowers inspired by seasonal themes. These activities are not about “doing it right”; they are about presence, sensory connection, creativity, and shared experience.

By designing activities that bring nature to people, rather than expecting people to go out into nature, Green Dementia Care remains accessible and adaptable. This is particularly important for individuals who may feel anxious about being outdoors, who experience reduced mobility, or who benefit from quieter, more contained environments.

Why nature-based, multisensory engagement matters

Engaging with nature through the senses can offer meaningful benefits for wellbeing. Natural colours, textures, scents, and seasonal themes can be grounding and calming, offering gentle stimulation without overwhelming. For people living with dementia, nature-based activities can prompt memories, spark conversation, and support a sense of continuity with past interests and roles, such as gardening, craft, or time spent outdoors earlier in life.

The multisensory nature of these activities also supports inclusion. People can participate in ways that suit their abilities and preferences, whether that is touching soil, arranging leaves, choosing colours for a paper flower, or simply observing and enjoying the atmosphere of a shared activity. There is no single “right” way to take part.

Equally important is the relational aspect. Green Dementia Care sessions are designed to be shared experiences, creating space for conversation without pressure, quiet companionship, and moments of connection. For carers, this can be an opportunity to step out of task-focused routines and spend time alongside the person they support in ways that feel lighter, more creative, and more human.

How the Hadrian Trust grant will be used

The £500 grant from Hadrian Trust will directly support the practical delivery of Green Dementia Care sessions. This includes:

• Resources and materials for nature-based, multisensory activities, such as compost, seeds, pots, natural textures, craft materials inspired by nature, and items to support sensory engagement.
• Accessible equipment to ensure activities can be adapted for people who may be seated, have limited dexterity, or experience fatigue.
• Session materials that can be used flexibly indoors or outdoors, helping us maintain continuity when weather limits outdoor access.
• Support for session delivery, enabling us to prepare welcoming, well-resourced environments where participants feel safe and valued.

While £500 may appear modest, it allows us to do things well rather than simply do things cheaply. It enables investment in quality materials that can be reused, thoughtful session planning, and the creation of environments that support dignity, choice, and person-centred engagement.

The difference this makes for people

For people living with dementia, Green Dementia Care offers more than a timetable of activities. It offers moments of autonomy (“I can still take part”), recognition (“This reminds me of what I used to enjoy”), and calm (“This feels peaceful”). These moments contribute to a sense of self that can otherwise feel challenged by the day-to-day impact of dementia.

For carers, the programme provides shared experiences that are not solely defined by care tasks. It creates opportunities to connect with others who understand the realities of caring and offers gentle respite within a supportive environment. Many carers describe these moments as valuable pauses in demanding routines, where connection and creativity take precedence over practical demands.

The impact of these sessions often extends beyond the activity itself. Feeling more confident engaging with simple, nature-inspired activities, rediscovering everyday pleasures, or building connections with others can influence how people feel in their wider lives. These small shifts can make caring feel more sustainable and everyday life feel more balanced.

Looking ahead

Hadrian Trust’s support enables us to continue developing Green Dementia Care in ways that remain responsive to our community. As the programme evolves, we will continue to learn from participants, adapt activities to meet changing needs, and explore how nature-based, multisensory engagement can be woven into other areas of our work.

This may include developing seasonal activity themes, creating portable nature-inspired resources for indoor use, and building partnerships that broaden access to creative materials and green spaces when appropriate. Throughout, the emphasis will remain on accessibility, adaptability, and meaningful engagement.

With thanks

We extend our sincere thanks to Hadrian Trust for recognising the value of this work and investing in the wellbeing of people living with dementia and those who support them. Your support enables us to create spaces where people can feel calmer, more connected, and more able to be themselves through creative, nature-based engagement.

We are committed to putting this grant to work in ways that honour the trust placed in us and, most importantly, benefit the people at the heart of our community.