Sensory garden in hospital helps mental health recovery

A SENSORY garden project has been completed in the grounds of Tallaght University Hospital to help people accessing the psychiatric facility in their mental health recovery.

Former Tallaght Person of the Year Lee Moroney, through his business Coach Approach, has been leading fitness classes in the psychiatric ward on the grounds of the hospital for six years.

Then, Moroney thought up the idea of creating a sensory garden of plants and grasses on the grounds to help patients in their mental health recovery in a therapeutic manor.

“I had a very simple plan in place: a tidy-up and plant flower to add colour, but when I introduced Rachel Freeman  (TUD), whose expertise is second to none, to the project, she added a whole different dimension to the project,

“Craig [Duggan] from Just Dug volunteered his professional garden skills, along with former environmental winner Denise De Lappe who has been a friend for many years through the GAA.

“Everyone mucked in including the occupational therapists Fiona [Doolan] and Emma [Denny] who work with patients on the ward to aid their recovery.

“I am really chuffed with it and we still [have] some money in the kitty to add something new come winter and early spring next year.”

Coach Approach supported the project financially alongside Tallaght University Hospital and Tallaght Community Council.

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