A brand new sensory garden has opened at the Campbell Centre in Milton Keynes.
The Campbell Centre, CNWL’s inpatient mental health unit in Milton Keynes has now got a brand new sensory garden. A total of 484 plants and trees have been planted within the garden.
The garden was officially opened this week at a ceremony attended by Councillor Emily Darlington, Cabinet Member for Adults, Housing and Healthy Communities, as well as representatives from MK Dons, including midfielder Ethan Robson.
The new garden is full of trees and plants which are all touchable and have a range of smells, textures and edibles such as fruit, providing a source of homegrown produce.
Small greenhouses have also been fitted, to allow patients to grow seasonal herbs and vegetables.
The garden also features 10 new benches and eight flower planters and was created following a successful bid for £154,000 in funding.
The garden is just one element in the improvements, with funding having also been invested in new equipment, along with upgrades to the sensory room and de-escalation room.
These include:
- Robopets, which have the characteristics of pets
- Bespoke sensory equipment such as an arm chair, vibrating bean bag, a magnetic LED projector, Plug n Play interactive floor, fibre optic curtains, custom UV carpet
- Sensory items such as lava lamps, fidget toy cubes, stress balls, fitness balance boards, heat pads, weighted blankets, bean bags, mood lights, black out blinds
The MK Dons Sport and Education Trust (SET) have been working in conjunction with CNWL to deliver a project for 18 to 25-year olds, using football as a means of improving mental health.
Lesley Halford, Service Director of Milton Keynes Mental Health Services said: “I am so proud of the work that everyone has put in to help us become more sensory friendly.
“A good sensory environment is an effective treatment approach that provides early intervention benefits for people with neurodiversity. This approach supports emotional regulation as well as the ability to self-sooth with better awareness of sensory preferences, sensitivities and propensity to be in tune with own responses.
“This garden is a fantastic beacon of peace and tranquillity and I hope that service users will make full use of this.”
