A Barnsley care home plans to complete its sensory garden having won our support.

Residents at MHA Mapplewell Manor will benefit from the garden, as well as new activities, after receiving a £1,000 donation from our South Yorkshire through the Community Champions initiative.

Activity Co-ordinator, Helen Smith, who made the successful funding bid, said: “This donation is wonderful news for our 41 residents who are living with dementia. The past year has been a difficult time for the residents, and their families. Now that a level of normality is returning, we want to focus on developing new creative and engaging activities to help improve their quality of life.

“We have started our sensory garden, and Persimmon’s support is going to help us complete the project. The space will be more than just a sensory garden but will also provide a talking point as well as an enjoyable and peaceful place for relaxation for our residents and their families to spend some special time together.” 

Richard Hosie, managing director for South Yorkshire, said: “The past year has been difficult for many care homes, so we are delighted to be able to support the exciting sensory garden project at Mapplewell Manor.”

Persimmon Homes’ Community Champions scheme seeks to support groups and charities working to improve the quality of life for local people.

Each month our Doncaster-based office donates up to £1,000 to two community groups across the region. This also happens across our other 31 operating areas, meaning up to £64,000 is dished out every single month – a total of £768,000 a year.

Richard added: “We’ve made it really simple to apply for funding, and we’re urging good causes and charities to apply for donations by completing an online form.