Bliss out in nature, get your hands dirty and enjoy garden-to-plate morning teas at Kensington’s sensory garden.
We’ve created a beautiful garden at Kensington Neighbourhood Centre where local people, including people living with dementia and their carers, can come together for a weekly gardening and social group.
Local people at work in the garden
We run a weekly program at the garden that is dementia-inclusive, which means that the activities and the environment are suitable for people with dementia, who can be accompanied by a carer.
A professional gardener from Cultivating Community is on hand to guide participants through optional light gardening activities designed to ignite the senses and facilitate a connection with nature.
The fun continues with morning tea, often featuring produce grown in the garden, like herbs and edible flowers.
A delicious spread with produce from the garden
People who attend the sensory garden group – including locals Anastasia, Ken, Inge and Jan – tell us it’s a tranquil, wholesome and relaxing space that makes you feel good.
Here’s some more of what they had to say:
Why I love the sensory garden
- ‘The best thing is the gardening and the companionship.’
- ‘I love the fragrance of the flowers. You notice it as soon as you walk out there.’
- ‘Eating what we’ve grown is very satisfying.’
- ‘I love the variety of the garden. I love all the herbs and the peppercorn tree.’
- ‘It has given me more confidence in my garden at home.’
Get your hands dirty, or just enjoy the ambience
Visits to Kensington Neighbourhood Centre’s sensory garden are free, but bookings are essential.
To view upcoming social group dates, visit Sensory Garden. To register, contact Healthy Ageing on 9658 9190 or email healthyageing@melbourne.vic.gov.au
The sensory garden is one of the milestones of the second year of our Melbourne: A Great Place to Age strategy.
To learn more about services and support, visit For older people.
