Grow My Wellbeing Workshop

At Mellish House, residents have huge input into how their daily lives are shaped. During regular residents’ meetings, they are given the final say over all aspects of the home and its running including, but not limited to, activities they participate in, the menu, the care they receive and the environment. It’s all part of creating a community where everyone feels at home, and everyone has a voice.

Home Manager, Maekhala Allan, explains, “I feel strongly that each resident should have the opportunity to live their life as they wish to in a comfortable setting where they also have choices. Being involved in how things look and feel and how life is experienced is important to retaining a sense of independence, especially for those living with dementia”.

When it comes to choosing activities, a visit from Grow My Wellbeing, with a session run by Chantal, is always high on the list of requests.

Grow My Wellbeing's Mission

Grow My Wellbeing was set up with a mission: to share the benefits to mental health that houseplants can bring, which is especially important for those who have limited access to the outdoors. Studies have shown that plants can reduce stress levels, boost moods and even alleviate symptoms of depression – so spending time choosing, potting, and learning to care for a plant of your own is a positive experience, and popular with Mellish residents.

Chantal brings all the props required for a planting workshop and sets everything up on a table for the residents. The activity varies, sometimes involving painting designs on the pots before the actual planting. Residents then work methodically through the steps of mixing soil, planting and watering, and once finished, they view their creations with pride. One participant, William, looked at his carefully potted plant afterwards and said, in disbelief, “I did that.”

These planting workshops are as much about wellbeing as they are an activity session and they have many benefits, particularly for an individual living with dementia. Residents are encouraged to make their own choices, to take control and to relax as they enjoy the earthy aroma of soil and the way it feels between their fingers, and the vibrant colours and scents of the leaves and flowers.

Maekhala is delighted that the Grow My Wellbeing sessions provide a such a stimulating and sensory experience for residents, and even better, that they result in feelings of accomplishment. “It brings tears to my eyes to watch this unfold in the workshops”, she said. “Residents regularly chat to each other during Grow My Wellbeing sessions, and this leads to positive conversations between them. When you hear comments throughout, such as Maureen whispering to her friend with a big smile and looking proud of herself, “We are using our creativity today, aren’t we” and the response from Grace is “Yes, we are, and its beautiful”, I realise how worthwhile it is having the residents choose their own activities. It’s as it should be”.

Discover Mellish House Care Home

Mellish House Care Home, situated near Sudbury in Suffolk, provides residential and specialist dementia care in a fresh, bright and comfortable environment. The home offers care that is tailored to individual needs, interests and preferences, and a team who are committed to delivering the very best. If you would like to learn more about the types of care and services available from Caring Homes, please visit our website page. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or would like to learn more.