MELBOURNE NEWS

Community

Sensory garden a delight for people with dementia

21 September 2022

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.

Two people weaving with natural fibres

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 table of healthy garden-grown food

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.’
People gardening

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.

Share this story

21 September 2022
You may also like
Young and old find their flow in Fawkner Park

Young and old find their flow in Fawkner Park

Meet the four-year-olds and older people who do tai chi together in South Yarra once a month. They’re keeping ageism at bay. Anticipation flutters through a group of tai chi students on a misty Thursday morning in Fawkner Park. All eyes are on the pre-schoolers who...

Celebrating our extraordinary Melburnians

Celebrating our extraordinary Melburnians

Entries are now open for the City of Melbourne's prestigious Melbourne Awards. For more than 20 years, we have celebrated inspirational individuals and organisations who have made a positive and valuable contribution to our city through the Melbourne Awards.Each year,...

Big win for beloved Kensington Neighbourhood House

Big win for beloved Kensington Neighbourhood House

Pop into Kensington Neighbourhood House for a warm welcome and take your pick from more than 99 inclusive events every week. The packed program brings together more than 1000 people from 70 countries each year to connect, learn and create. It relieves social isolation...

Passionate volunteers spread joy in Melbourne

Passionate volunteers spread joy in Melbourne

Celebrate the changemaking volunteers who help make Melbourne tick this National Volunteer Week. Then browse volunteer opportunities to enrich your life with friendship and purpose year-round. Whether you love sharing dining and entertainment tips with city visitors,...

Subscribe to our newsletter

Keep up with what's happening in the City of Melbourne by subscribing to the Melbourne newsletter.

You have successfully subscribed!