WEYMOUTH’S Westhaven Community Hospital has celebrated the opening of its new sensory courtyard garden.

The Dorset Healthcare Hospital welcomed chairman of the League of Friends of Weymouth and Portland Hospitals David Smith to open the garden.

Patients, friends and families joined staff from the hospital for tea and cake before a ribbon cutting to officially declare the facility open.

The therapeutic courtyard garden was made possible thanks to funding from the League of Friends group as well as contributions from patients and relatives.

The idea for the garden came from the hospital’s dementia group, whose members wanted to create a safe and tranquil outdoor sanctuary for those living with dementia and for end of life patients and their families to enjoy. The new garden is equipped with an outdoor plug socket, so that music can be enjoyed outside.

The garden will provide multi-sensory stimulation as a form of therapy and a space that can be explored, where plants provide stimulus for patients through their colour, texture and smell.

The relaxed and informal atmosphere will also give dementia patients time to socialise and reduce any isolation or boredom they may be experiencing.

It will also provide welcome distraction from their symptoms, helping to maintain mobility and improve mood, stamina and concentration.

Anne Hiscock, Westhaven Community Hospital matron, told the Dorset Echo : “The new sensory courtyard garden is in addition to our spectacular garden at the front of the hospital which is maintained to perfection by our fantastic volunteers and well used by patients and visitors alike.

“I would like to thank the League of Friends for their generous donation as well as the kind contributions made by grateful patients and relatives.”