The creative garden at Bield’s Oakburn Park Day Centre, located in Ferguson Avenue in Milngavie, is a highly accessible space which has been specially designed to cater to the needs of both disabled and non-disabled individuals.

The project has been funded from a £17,000 grant – part of the £75,000 awarded to Bield by the Scottish Government’s People and Community Fund, the second largest it has received in its 40 years of providing quality housing and care to older people in Scotland.

Oakburn Park Day Care is a flexible service for physically or mentally frail older people living in the Milngavie and Bearsden area. With specific days for those with dementia, highly trained staff are able to support people to do what they want to do with their day.

Anne Conlon, manager at Bield’s Oakburn Park, said: “The opening of the sensory garden went really well and we had a great turn out – with more than 70 friends and family members coming along to see the unveiling, have a barbecue and mingle with the local community.

“I am truly grateful for the funding we received as the garden is now beautifully refurbished and much more accessible for everyone – just in time for everyone to get outside and enjoy the summer.”

Brian Logan, chief executive at Bield, said: “We are understandably delighted to have secured this substantial funding which opens up new possibilities to enrich the lives of so many people across our developments and so bring into life our ‘Free to Be’ philosophy.

“The benefits to these projects go well beyond what is plainly obvious – for every older person whose quality of life improves, family, friends and carers also stand to gain immensely.

“The funding is also testament to the success of past initiatives, which have provided fantastic opportunities that have delivered significant improvements to the social, physical and mental health and well-being of many people.”

@BieldScotland