Residents, their families and staff at a state-of-the-art dementia care centre in Abergele have been rewarded for their gardening skills with a place in a prestigious contest – as well as giants gnomes!
Looking for new ways to invigorate their staff and residents, the management at Tŷ Cariad, which is situated on the North Wales Business Park on the outskirts of the town, started a ‘Garden Competition’ and provided each of their four households with a budget and challenged them to spend it in the most imaginative way to enhance their gardens.
Last week, Clwyd West AM Darren Millar visited Tŷ Cariad to inspect the gardens.
He said: .
“Having officially opened the care centre three years ago, it was great to return last week, to see what staff, residents and their families had achieved in the gardens.
“From the colourful displays that greeted me, it was obvious that they have all worked hard to improve the gardens for the residents at this cutting edge dementia facility to enjoy.
“I was pleased to meet the winner, Norman Gearey, with his giant gnome and to hear that the gardens have now been entered into ‘Wales in Bloom’, the regional element of the National Britain in Bloom Competition.
“A huge well done to all those who took part and best of luck in the Wales in Bloom contest.”
Tŷ Cariad Centre comprises four small households each trying to meet the needs of a particular stage of dementia.
Each household is designed to give residents a huge sense of the freedom to be wherever they wish to be, whilst always being secure.
The gardens are multi-sensory, themed with echoes of the 1950’s, and even have cars parked outside garages for residents to use as they see fit.
Darren added:
“Research indicates there is a growing need for dementia care homes in North Wales and Ty Cariad is providing much needed support for this vulnerable group in society. It is a real asset to the local community.”