Military Engineers join forces to raise funds for Avalon's sensory garden

Members of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) corps have ‘geared up’ to donate £200 towards a sensory garden at Avalon Nursing Home.

The dementia-friendly garden will offer a safe, calming space for residents, with plants, scents and sensory features to enhance well-being.

The REME donation came about through Netta Merrick, a close friend of a late resident’s family, who wanted to give back to the home for the care and compassion shown him.

Netta, a friend of Angela Lovell, first visited Avalon to visit Angela’s late husband Chris, who was a resident there and says she immediately felt a strong connection to the home.

A keen lover of the outdoors, Netta married a soldier in 1972 and spent 24 years living in properties without a garden while travelling the world to support his military career.

“Having a garden is like having a sanctuary, somewhere to be quiet, find peace, and reconnect with nature, like having a little piece of the countryside right at home,” said Netta.

“It’s a place where you can let out your frustration or anger, and it doesn’t matter.”

So far, Avalon has raised £11,545 for a sensory garden with calming plants, seating, and features for residents and guests; currently work is being carried out to lay down a path in the garden.

“The money we raise will go towards things like landscaping, plants, seating, and sensory touches such as water features and wind chimes,” said Avalon’s activities team leader, Lisa Priddice.

“We want to create a lovely garden that’s not only safe and welcoming for our residents, but also a special place where families and carers can spend time together and we are so grateful to all the people who are helping us achieve our dream."

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