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Embracing the Power of Nature at Our Respite Cottages

Two men with a plant in Willow Fern Cottage

Clients, volunteers and staff have worked hand-in-hand to bring Willow Fern Cottage’s outdoor space to life. 

 

Last year, Willow Fern Cottage was granted $10,000 from the Southern Cross Care Community Foundation to build a garden that would involve clients in physical activities and social games. 

The team of clients, volunteers and staff got to work brainstorming ideas together, visiting nurseries to find plants and outdoor shops for decorative items, and conducting regular meetings to discuss their progress and steps forward. 

The plans were adapted many times to ensure it was perfect!


“The whole process of how our clients came together to get involved by adding their own ideas, planting plants and watching them grow, and simply seeing that genuinely pleased look on their faces literally pulls at the heartstrings,“ explained Leah Ackland, the Willow Fern Cottage Respite Site Lead.

Soaking in sunlight is extremely beneficial to well-being as it triggers the release of serotonin and vitamin D which help boost mood and focus, and reduce stress. So the Willow Fern team sought to create a garden space that encouraged more time outdoors.

Over the following months, they updated their seating area to encourage social interaction, installed a mini golf hole for engaging exercise and spruced up their gardening facilities. 

The new garden now encourages clients to use their fine motor skills to walk, reach, bend, cut and plant. 

It was also important to make the space feel bright and cheerful. So the team included bright pops of colour with specially-chosen plants and painted fences.

“We use the space every day if the weather allows us to, “ Leah said. 

“There’s even a spot for the golf clubs and balls hanging on a decorative mirror. Seeing clients walking past and using their own initiative to have a hit is great, especially when others see how much fun they are having and join in.

“It's too beautiful not to be lapping up activities in nature - not only for our clients but for the staff too.”   

Leah added the project has been a highly rewarding one.

“The new space has made a difference to some of our clients' behaviours - especially with those living with dementia - as being surrounded by nature helps reduce their feelings of agitation and anxiety,” she said.

“We just love walking outside to stretch our legs and admire the new space, and the staff and volunteers also enjoy having their lunch breaks here.“

To learn more about Willow Fern’s community respite services, call 08 8391 5047.