Age Friendly Sustainable Garden Project at Treadagh Lodge Day Care Centre , Drogheda
Age Friendly Louth partnered with local artist Aga Hutchinson to deliver a suite of arts and crafts workshops to clients at the Treadgh Lodge Day Care Centre in Drogheda. The objects and household items were reused and upcycled to useful items and decorations for the new garden project.
The workshops were delivered weekly during May and June 2024.
Treadagh Lodge Day Care Centre provides dementia specific, person centred care to meet the needs of the person with dementia in a warm, welcoming and safe environment while providing support and stimulation
At the lodge the dedicated staff work with each person to ensure they feel comfortable and supported and their individual needs are meet as far as possible. They offer a wide range of activities including reminiscence therapy, music sessions, gentle exercises, arts and crafts and personal care.
Local artist Aga Hutchinson facilitated a suite of arts and crafts workshops working with the clients at the lodge to reuse and upcycle all day every day objects and household items.
The objects and household items were transformed into practical and sustainable items for use in the new garden that is currently under way at the lodge. .
On Week 1 china tea cups and china saucers which were purchased in charity shops and collected up from around the house were transformed into bird feeders . These will be utilised in the new sustainable garden where it is hoped the amazing planting of flowers and shrubs will encourage birds of all descriptions into the garden.
On another week sustainable outdoor lanterns were created by the clients at the centre using jars and glass containers , they were covered in decoupage and battery operated lights were placed inside to provide garden lanterns.
Week 3 saw the clients use a variety of fabrics and coverings to produce colourful bunting for decorating the garden.
During week 4 the clients produced planters which were individually decorated by clients at the lodge. Herbs were placed in the planters which will be located through out the garden for the benefit and enjoyment of the clients at the lodge.
And finally on week 5 the clients worked hard to make bee hotels, individually decorating and designing the bee hotels . It is hoped these will encourage pollinators into the garden.
Pictured above are Bee Hotels and Garden Lanterns
The collaborative workshops gave clients at the lodge an opportunity to try something new whilst also contributing to the new sustainable garden.
Each week the workshops encouraged chats and discussions round simple everyday items and the stories and memories associated with these objects. From china cups and cracked teapots , to the touch and feel of the fabrics used for the bunting. The scents and smells associated with herbs and the fragrances associated with flowers and plants were all evocative of memories for the clients at the Lodge.
All of these sights, smells and tactile touches provided opportunity for the clients to reminisce and share stories and memories .
Sinead Reynolds Nursing Manager observed that “it was great to see our clients engaged in fun inclusive activities that will enhance our new sustainable garden which will be completed soon”
Helen Barron Nursing Manager noted that “clients really enjoyed the workshops ,and there was something for everyone to do
Aga Hutchinson the artist who facilitated the workshops stated “ I really enjoy working with the clients in Treadagh Lodge Day Care Centre. The sustainable Garden project was a wonderful way to introduce the clients to simple arts and crafts . I hope they all enjoyed the activities as much as I did, and I would like to extend my thanks to the management and staff for making me feel so welcome”.
Sinead McVerry Age Friendly Louth Programme Manager noted that “Age Friendly Louth has always been supportive of Treadagh Lodge Day Care Centre and it’s clients , we are always looking for ways to enable people with dementia to remain engaged in their chosen activities of life for as long as they wish to and to help support a dementia inclusive and age friendly community in Drogheda for all”.
