Deputy Mayor Opens New Sensory Garden at Bromley Short Breaks Summer Party

The Deputy Mayor of Bromley, Councillor Christine Harris, officially opened the new sensory garden of Ambient’s learning disability service at Widmore Road this week at a special summer party themed open day!

In celebration of Learning Disability Week and new improvements at the care home, local people supported by the service, their friends and family came together for the afternoon, Saturday 25 June, to enjoy the new sensory garden, interactive activities, face painting and refreshments. Officers from the local police station also made a guest appearance in their patrol van.

The service at Widmore Road, provides short breaks and respite services for adults with a learning disability, including complex needs, in the Bromley area. Since winning the contract is April 2021, Ambient has made numerous and swift enhancements which include implementing new management and staff teams and developing and widening the types of short stays that people can access with the inclusion of new themed weekends and special events stays. We are also signed-up to ‘Driving Up Quality Code’ to ensure quality care and support for people with learning disabilities including Autism.

Our volunteer and horticultural project, Branching Out, was responsible for the complete transformation of the garden from an overgrown and unloved area to an immersive and useable space that includes a sensory zone, growing sections in raised-beds for wheelchair users and scented plants and herbs.

Deputy Mayor of Bromley, Councillor Christine Harris, says:

“It has been an absolute joy and a privilege to officially open Widmore Road’s new sensory garden. Services, like these provided by Ambient, are extremely important to many people in our Bromley community. They offer those with Learning Difficulties the opportunity to enjoy new experiences whilst also providing much needed respite for their carers.”

Sara Barton, Manager at Ambient Support’s Widmore Road, says: 

“The Charity has a strong heritage and positive reputation for delivering high quality support to people with a learning disability so it’s been a real pleasure to open our doors, share the fantastic improvements that we have made to the service and celebrate our new sensory garden.”

“Many people with Learning Disabilities are still feeling the effects of Covid and are experiencing heightened anxiety due to isolation. So, to see everyone joining in with activities, looking relaxed and making the most of the immersive garden space has been wonderful– it’s been a celebration of togetherness.”

The Sensory Garden was completed by the Bromley-based volunteer gardening and horticulture project, Branching Out, run by Ambient, that is helping to change lives and improve mental wellbeing for local people with lived experience of mental ill-health- the project is now extending volunteering opportunities to people in Learning Disability services.

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