A PALACEFIELDS care home garden has been transformed thanks to a team of volunteers from Lloyds Bank.


St Luke's Care Home now has a beautiful sensory garden after 26 volunteers battled through the rain over two days to create the green space featuring plants and flowers specially selected for their sensory benefits.


The volunteers all came from the commercial banking department in Manchester and were taking part in a national volunteering initiative, Give and Gain Day. 


Sue Ashcroft, manager at St Luke’s, said: “There is lots of research which suggests that sensory outdoor spaces can have significant therapeutic benefits for people living with dementia and so in creating this beautiful garden, the team from Lloyds have helped us to improve the well-being of our residents for years to come."


Despite the torrential downpour the team ploughed on with the task of creating the space for the home's 60 residents with dementia.


They were supported by landscape architect Elaine Cresswell who drew up the design and oversaw the work on the days.


”The volunteers gave their time and effort so generously and didn’t let the rain dampen their spirits.  We’re so grateful for all of their hard work and on behalf of everyone here at St Luke’s, we just want to say a huge thank you."


Ria Kelsall, associate relationship manager, who led the volunteer team, said: “At Lloyds Bank, we’re so fortunate to be able to take part in the fantastic Give and Gain Day scheme which gives us the opportunity to step outside of our day-to-day roles and give back to our local community, whilst trying something different too.


“We chose to lend our support to St Luke’s as they do such wonderful work supporting people with dementia to live full and happy lives and we just hope that in some small way, we’ve been able to contribute to this. Creating this sensory garden has been an interesting and fulfilling experience for us all, and I’m sure many of us are taking lots of new skills home with us.”