A NEW sensory garden was opened at Ty Dyfan care home with a herb garden, new lawn and even a beach area for residents to enjoy.

Staff at the Cadoxton care home invited Councillor Stuart Egan to open their newly transformed sensory garden area.

The garden has been designed to help with sensory experiences and reminiscence activities, with a herb garden for residents to tend to, and a lawn which can be maintained by the residents using an old fashioned rotary lawnmower.

A beach area has also been created, complete with sand, a paddling pool, and buckets and spades, and the fence has been painted with a depiction of Flat Holm and Steep Holm islands.

The project was spearheaded by Ty Dyfan’s dementia champions, care officer Sharon Baker and care assistant Leanne Ballett who, along with other staff, gave up their own time to see the project come to fruition, with some staff even contributing financially to help complete it.

Relatives and friends of the residents also donated plants and pots, as well as their time and effort.

Cllr Stuart Egan, cabinet member for Adult Services, said: “This remarkable project is all down to the great dedication and hard work of the care staff at Ty Dyfan.

“Sensory experiences such as these are crucial in dementia care, and this garden provides ample opportunity for residents to be cared for and looked after in the best way possible.”

Ty Dyfan is home to 20 older people living with dementia, and is run by the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

All Vale care homes have appointed dementia champions who regularly meet to share ideas and seek to improve the care experience for people with dementia.