Abbeyfield Belfast Society opens revitalised sensory garden designed to enhance the lives of residents at Bell Rotary House

Following their receipt of a £54,800 grant from the Wolfson Foundation and a generous bequest from a previous resident, Abbeyfield Belfast Society (ABS) has completed a project to create an inspiring and calming sensory garden at their East Belfast-based Bell Rotary House. Recently launched for residents, their families, and supporters of Abbeyfield Belfast at a celebratory garden party, the newly re-landscaped garden will provide a more appropriate outdoor space, designed specifically for those living with sensory and mobility impairments.

Working in partnership with landscape architect Anita Houston and Beechill Landscapes, a bespoke garden was developed to tap into the varied needs of Bell Rotary House’s residents. Ground was broken on the project in January 2024 and – despite a very wet winter and delayed arrival of warmer weather – the team delivered on the final project in time for residents to enjoy summer.

From a ‘grow your own’ area complete with green houses and raised beds built with mobility in mind, to an endless circular path which encourages activity and movement, a family-friendly space built with elements for young people to enjoy and encourage visitors to stay longer, and carefully-selected plants to provide a calming and tranquil space complete with a full-sensory experience of sight, sound, and smell, the garden is not only a beautiful space for residents and their guests, but one which the Abbeyfield Belfast team hopes will help residents to maintain their well-being through increased exercise, quiet reflection, engagement with other residents, and a creative outlet.

“The ethos of ‘Bell Rotary Garden’ is that there are gardens held within a garden, to create different experiences whilst promoting calmness and inspiration. The brief was that the space would have a range of different uses by visitors of a wide range of ages, and I wanted to encourage residents, families and visitors alike to be drawn outside; to spend time in it and for it to be a pleasurable and relaxing space to be in, offering fun for all and also a space to enjoy by oneself, too,” said landscape architect Anita Houston.

“Previously, many of our residents were unable to fully experience the existing garden or engage in gardening projects at Bell Rotary House,” said Abbeyfield Belfast Chief Executive Niki Molloy. “They expressed their desire for a new garden and summerhouse that they and visitors could enjoy. We worked closely with residents to collate their opinions and ensure that all residents felt a sense of ownership of this project and were delighted to have their vision made reality by Anita and the team at Beechill Landscapes, led by Michael Pollock.”

“We were determined to raise the necessary funding to bring it to reality and are so grateful to the Wolfson Foundation and our previous residents’ generosity as well as to Saintfield Nurseries who kindly gifted residents with the garden’s fruit trees.”

Located on King’s Road, East Belfast, Bell Rotary House is home to 19 residents and is one of four supported retirement schemes managed by ABS, and one of the worldwide group of Abbeyfield’s sheltered retirement schemes and independent living complexes for older people that adopt a unique model of communal retirement living, with values of companionship and community at its heart.