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I'm aiming to raise £500 to help sustain the Peer Support Dementia Hub gardening groups.
Myself and colleagues have signed up for the Nottingham 10K event on Sunday 9th March 2025 specifically to raise funds for these two community-focussed gardening groups.
The Highbury Dementia Hub gardening sessions started in 2022, and it is a well-attended peer support group for people living with young onset Dementia. Sadly, there is a distinct lack of community groups in Nottingham specifically for this population of people, which wholeheartedly strengthens my desire to seek continued funding. The second peer support gardening group is held at Ashfield Wellbeing Centre for people of any age living with Dementia. Since its launch in 2024, the group (including carers and families) have worked incredibly hard to transform an overgrown bramble filled space into a beautiful garden now filled with spring bulbs and flowers.
The gardening sessions aim to promote physical and mental wellbeing, offer social connection and inclusion. The growing of vegetables and flowers, along with the experience of growing together, provides individuals with opportunities to share knowledge, be productive, and gain that all-important sense of achievement. Although there is no expectation for gardeners to share their experiences of living with Dementia, many do discuss their ups and downs. It is the peer support and mutual understanding that naturally emerges within the group that proves beneficial. The social connectedness fostered here can truly make a difference to people's lives. Helping people feel less alone in their journey with Dementia is a key driver towards the need to sustain these groups.
Some quotes from our gardeners.....
It's a place where you feel at one with yourself and you have people you can reach out to, that understand you. It's a lifeline"
Coming to the Hub has made me feel better about myself. Making the journey to the garden keeps my brain active and so helps with my Dementia, and being outdoors lifts my mood"
The current funding from GreenSpace ceases in May 2025, so we urgently need support to ensure both groups can continue. Specifically, any donations will help cover support worker costs for the co-ordination and support of both Dementia Hub gardening groups and for gardening materials. I am hoping to raise £500 as a starting point to help on this quest to sustain these groups.
Thank you very much for taking time to visit my JustGiving page, any donation whatever size is hugely appreciated
Thank you,
Esther :)
