Peterborough care home embraces flower power indoors

During lockdown, staff at Hampton Grove care home in Chaffinch Lane, Hampton Vale, realised that residents needed a tranquil space away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in the home.

They wanted to create a sensory space where residents could see, touch, hear and even smell, so they came up with the idea of creating an indoor garden.

The new garden was an instant success, residents pick up the artificial flowers, feel the grass on the walls, see the lights around the window in the evening, watch the butterflies and see the ladybirds climbing the wall, while listening to birds singing in the background.

Now residents enjoy their walk up to the top of the corridor to visit the garden, it gives them a purpose for their walking. Everyone says how lovely, bright and colourful the space looks.

Lisa May, activities lead at Hampton Grove said: “We’re so pleased with how well the indoor garden has been received, it really is a much loved space.

“Residents enjoy looking at the butterflies and ladybirds on the walls, the lights around the window that light up the space at night and listening to the birdsong.

“We have plans to add some more trees and grass along the corridor to make it bigger so more people can enjoy relaxing here and we’re thinking of 
getting a planting bench so we can start to grow seeds and flowers.

“Our varied life enrichment programme keeps residents active, and provides a daily choice of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to residents’ interests and abilities.”