Sensory Garden 

What is a Sensory Garden 

Sensory Gardens have been found to generate countless benefits to individual’s physical health and well being, here are some of the benefits

• Sensory Stimulation.
• Promoting Physical Activity
• Participation and a Sense of Community
• Reducing Behaviours of Agitation and Aggression
• Presenting Cognitive and Physical Challenges 
• Allowing Meditation, reflection and Stress Release

This garden will be free and accessible to the public.

Why Sensory gardens, they improve physical fitness, health, mood and cognition. Gardening and plant care help children develop gross and fine motor skills. Time outdoors, breathing fresh air, and being exposed to sunlight are extremely beneficial for overall physical health. Time spent in natural environments can provide a range of health benefits, including reduced stress and lowered blood pressure. Most gardens offer visual appeal, but a sensory garden is designed to stimulate all five senses. 

 
 
 
 

A Sensory garden can be used in the education of special-needs students, including people with autism. As a form of horticultural therapy, sensory gardens may be helpful in the care of people with dementia. The Sensory garden will be designed in such a way as to be accessible and enjoyable for both disabled and non-disabled users.

 

Gardens benefit kids with disabilities, it has also been shown to help with anxiety, fidgeting and attention disorders such as ADHD. Studies show that sensory gardens teach non-verbal children how to participate in a cooperative effort and it helps develop their non-verbal communication skills.

 

How can you get involved !

We need your help & are asking  families to utilise their free time at home to help us create a fun, attractive and vibrant sensory garden, here are some ideas 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As these features will be outside, they may require a lacquer to protect against the elements

 

 

Maybe you can make one or more , If you are interested in helping, please let us know  here what project you are willing to take on and how many and sent on your item once you have finished !

 

Every time you visit the sensory garden in our new Fitness Park, you will know you contributed to something very special for our community

 

 

 

 

We are also looking for Athlone based companies to rally together with the Athlone community to volunteer their time to be part of a two day build to help construct and make this garden a reality, Like the DIY SOS projects you have seen on TV. The more volunteers we have on the day the easier the construction. There will be a great sense of satisfaction, pride and achievement when this is completed. We hope to have lots of groups from kids to older adults completing mini projects prior to the build.

 

If you think you as an individual or your company can help with this project, please let me know by emailing here