By Edward Trower-
A memory garden to support people suffering from Dementia has been formally set up in Keighley.
The site in Church Green features plants designed to invoke memories and stimulate the sense of smell.
There is also a seating area, with an Alzheimer’s Society logo installed in the paving.
Decorated with a sitting area which has an Alzheimer’s Society logo installed in the paving, the garden is expected to attract several people who suffer from dementia , as they eagerly try to revive their normal sense of smell and improve their memory in the process. Many experiences people have are associated with the sense of smell we all have but which can be eroded by time.
The garden is to be financed and maintained by Keighley Town Council. Businesses involved in the initiative are keen to spread awareness about the garden and hope it will become a point of contact for many people suffering from dementia, whilst also creating an opportunity for sufferers, especially old people, to meet and share their experiences through discussions and interactions from others in the group.
Interested parties include, Keighley Business Improvement District, Dementia Friendly Keighley, Keighley in Bloom and Healthy High Streets.
Launched in 2014, Healthy High Streets programme have since provided intensive support for high streets. The organisation engages large businesses in their local communities and get involved in community programmes designed to make improvements to the lives of their constituents. They have been backed by corporate partners like Boots UK, EE, Exterion Media, Greggs, Marks & Spencer, Santander and Wilko. In collaboration with local town teams, they seek to develop and implement activities involving the prioritisation of accessibility and safety. They are also known for facilitating high profile events to drive footfall and contributing to the creation of pop up shops and markets to support start ups.
Keighley in Bloom are known for the stimulation of competitions with cash prizes to boost local interest in the area and raise community integration. They are really blooming and always seeking to join forces with other organisations involved in prosperous activities.
The official opening was carried by the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Keighley councillor Zafar Ali, and town mayor Councillor Fulzar Ahmed.
Cllr Ali said: “I was delighted to help open the garden.
“It will benefit both young and old, something which I want to be a theme during my time as Lord Mayor.”
Dementia Friendly Keighley (DFK) said members living with the condition had contributed ideas to the project.
Sandra Kelly, for the organisation, added: “The garden will have colour and fragrance all year round due to the imaginative and well-thought-out planting arrangement.
“Its memory board is great for reminiscing, with some lovely pictures of landmarks of days gone by alongside a few key points about living with dementia.”
Steve Seymour, chairman of DFK, praised all those involved in bringing the venture to fruition.
He added: “It’s great to see the garden completed.
“It is now a space for the community, and particularly people living with dementia, to use.
“This project has been a four-year team effort and without everyone’s commitment it could not have happened.”
Saira Ali, team leader in landscape, design and conservation at Bradford Council, helped secure the funding for the scheme.
She said: “We were asked to help create a garden in the town centre that would simultaneously meet the needs of people with dementia and the general population.
Pic Credit: dementiaFriendly likely.com