Improving Lives Outdoors

Sponsored EditorialImproving Lives has created an accessible sensory garden and wellbeing allotment in Clydebank, providing a welcoming outdoor space for people with disabilities and long-term health conditions. We aim to improve the wellbeing of individuals by offering a safe, inclusive environment for gardening, relaxation, learning and social interaction.

The Sensory GardenOur Sensory Garden has been carefully designed to accommodate people with various disabilities, ensuring that everyone can take part in gardening activities. Raised beds make planting easier for wheelchair users and people unable to bend low. Wide, even pathways ensure smooth navigation, and shaded seating areas provide a place to rest and enjoy the surroundings. Visitors will be able to enjoy the calming scent of lavender and rosemary, feel the texture of different plants, and listen to the soothing sounds of wind chimes.

Many of our peer support groups such as Art for Anxiety and our Autism Support Group use the tranquil outdoor space.

Our sensory garden is available for individuals or families of children with disabilities who may wish to spend a little quiet time in the outdoors. It may be especially useful for families without a garden of their own or who just need a little breathing space. This can be booked directly with ourselves and is completely free.

Flourish TogetherFlourish Together is our year-round gardening and sustainability project. This project focuses on connecting people with the outdoors, educating them on sustainability, nutrition and upcycling and building confidence and transferable skills.

The individuals involved in the project will benefit from an ongoing calendar of sessions, events and workshops. They will be given ownership and responsibility at the plots, have the opportunity to cultivate, plant and grow their own plants including being able to take these away. We will be teaching all aspects of gardening and horticulture to all age groups and abilities and encouraging them to share these skills with new members to the group. We have plans for several workshops and are currently planning more but some examples would be - Herbs and How To Use Them, Build Your Own Window Box, Mindful Gardening, specific repair workshops, Composting, Grow Your Own sessions, Allotment Management, Understanding Plants, Growing Food to Support Wellbeing and Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Reinvest.

This project would not have been possible if it were not for the generous funding and support of the Corra Foundation and the Henry Duncan Grant. This incredible funding has allowed us to make this a truly accessible project, creating an oasis of calm in a busy town which is available to everyone.

For those interested in getting involved more information can be found on our website or by calling 0141 237 4560.