The hospital, which specialises in mental health and dementia care, has been awarded £115,000 from Tayside Health Fund, NHS Tayside’s Charity, and an additional £40,000 from Paths for All to rejuvenate the facility’s two garden areas.

The organisations will work with landscape architect Marion Preez of Urban Pioneers, who drafted the initial concept drawings of the garden, as well as the firm Better Company to design a space that integrates with nature while providing patients with space to walk and move more.

It’s hoped the project will create a unique sensory experience, while being an inclusive, accessible, nurturing, and welcoming environment for all individuals, including patients, staff and families affected by dementia.

Dementia friendly development officer at Paths for All, Kayleigh Lytham, said: “Paths for All are delighted to be leading this project alongside our expert partners to enhance both gardens and create more usable and meaningful green space.

“Creating a more inclusive and accessible outdoor environment for patients, visitors and staff will provide opportunities to improve wellbeing through walking, physical activity and connecting with nature.

“This project will encourage all users to access the outdoors and benefit from the associated health benefits, which can contribute to patient recovery.”

The redesigned shared space will serve as a bridge between nature and individuals, helping patients to foster a deeper connection with the environment. The garden will also provide Strength and Balance areas, encouraging and supporting physical activity as an integral component of health, wellbeing, care, rehabilitation, and recovery.

Planned improvements encompass landscaping and additional seating areas, the development of path networks, and the installation of playful and poetic artworks by esteemed Paths for All artist-in-residence, Alec Finlay.

Alec’s artwork will feature what he calls ‘poem-objects’ – ordinary garden tools with poems added, including a suite of traditional watering cans with words inspired by Perthshire poet and gardener, GF Dutton. The artworks are intended to be used, to encourage people to interact with nature and gardening.

Alec Finlay added: “As we age, it becomes clear that memory, remembering, and names, are closely connected to our bodies and the things we do, or have done. Gardening is the perfect example, handling tools, gently caring for plants, tending nature, are playful and nurturing ways to bring people back into connection with the seasons, colours, and connect them with their own past experiences.

“They can become carers, as well as the cared for, which helps query the roles we assign to people in hospital, encouraging a sense of agency and creative recuperation. Tools are also a wonderful way to connect people with shared tasks, and give them a connection to the seasons.”

By transforming the shared garden spaces into dementia-friendly environments, the hospital aims to create therapeutic spaces that offer solace, stimulation, and a sense of tranquillity to those affected by this condition.

Clinical and professional team manager, Shelly Milligan from Murray Royal Hospital, commented: “Plans for the sensory garden have been specifically designed to provide patients with a relaxing space where they can connect with nature, relax and take part in activities that will help them improve both their physical and mental well-being.

“We also wanted the area to provide a relaxing space for families and carers to spend quality time with their loved ones.

“On behalf of the Older Peoples Service at Murray Royal Hospital we want to say a huge thank you to Kayleigh, Paths for All, Tayside Health Fund and to the artists/designers involved in this wonderful project.”

The garden will enhance the shared spaces at the Garry and Tummel Ward, as well as the garden at the Leven Ward.

Shelley McCarthy, charity chief officer for Tayside Health Fund, NHS Taysides Charity, said: “Dementia has been a national priority in Scotland since 2007 with a focus on person-centred treatment in all settings.

“Tayside Health Fund are delighted to be supporting such an innovative project at Murray Royal Hospital.”

Work has already commenced on the garden with a view to completion in late summer.