A summer of varied activities, volunteer effort and local support, has helped the New Milton Dementia Allotment flourish as the project looks ahead to next year celebrating its tenth anniversary.
Volunteers warmly welcomed visitors throughout the summer, providing a peaceful and nature friendly space for people living with dementia, their families and carers to enjoy.
Activities this year included a visit from the Chatty Caravan, a 1971 Sprite 400 complete with 1970’s style and memorabilia aimed at invoking holiday memories.
Visitors also enjoyed complementary ice-creams at the activity sessions, which included a singalong event, and a performance from the Coda Memory Band, as well as an eco-dyeing demonstration.
The project received generous support from local organisations. The regular team of community volunteers appreciated the help offered by corporate volunteers from Innovus Uk, Specsavers and GD Print Ltd.
Additionally, financial donations from New Milton Residents Association and New Forest District Councillor Jill Cleary were gratefully received. Regular supporter of the allotment project, Gary Dobbs of GD Print, brought along his iconic red Thunderbird car for visitors to admire and take photographs of. New Milton Men’s Shed were also a great help providing pop-up gazebos, and Ashley Youth Hub created colourful bunting for display.
Looking ahead, Specsavers has generously funded a new fruit cage to support the growing of raspberries and gooseberries. An official opening event is planned for next summer, including plans for a celebration marking ten years since the Dementia Allotment opened in 2017.
New Milton Town Councillor Bob Murrow said:
“It’s been a challenging summer with the heat and drought conditions, but our volunteers have been outstanding in keeping everything growing. I appreciate all their hard-work and effort supporting the activities and maintaining floral displays for our dementia community to enjoy.”
Dementia Allotment Co-ordinator Joanna Hayward added:
We’ve had a busy year, and it’s been such a delight to see our visitors smiling and happy. We want to continue providing this project for our community to enjoy and it would be great to get everyone’s feedback. We invite our community to complete a short survey, give us their views and help us shape future activities.”
Complete the survey: Dementia Allotment Survey
For more information, visit the New Milton Dementia Allotment webpage or call 01425 619120