Public sensory garden unveiled at Burntwood community centre

A public sensory garden has opened at a community centre to reignite the space and offer a pleasant experience for users, including a scheme to support older people.

MHA Communities Burntwood is part of the country’s largest charitable care provider Methodist Homes (MHA) and is based at the Old Mining Village, in Queen Street. 

It works within the local community to support older people, helping alleviate loneliness and isolation through a wide range of activities.

The garden will form a major part of MHA’s green care initiative in the area and is also intended for wider public use.

The garden was officially opened by leader of Burntwood Town Council, Councillor Rob Birch, and contains a mixture of sensory planets including a selection of herbs and scented plants.

Caroline Bruno, scheme manager for MHA Communities South Staffordshire said: “The launch event for the sensory garden was very successful and it was great to see so many people come out and see the garden.

“The garden will predominantly be used by the dementia day care group, but moving forward we want it to be a space for the whole community.

“Our members will contribute by planting and looking after the garden and I will be calling on the services of our volunteers to pitch in.

“There was entertainment on the day with live singing and overall it was a very enjoyable day.

“We were grateful to receive support on the day via staff volunteering at Tesco Heath Hayes and the Co-op Morley Road.

“I would like to thank Benbow Steele ltd, Burntwood Councillors local community fund, Co-op Central England and Staffordshire County Councillors Mike Wilcox and Tom Loughborough-Rud, as without their generous funding this would not have been possible.”