1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Doncaster
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
The Windermere Lodge dementia garden
Short description of the intervention
A multi-sensory garden designed and built especially for people with dementia and their carers has been opened in Doncaster at St. Catherine's mental health hospital. The Garden is the result of multiple charities and organisations coming together to push the project forward. The aim was to create a stimulating, relaxing and safe environment for people living with dementia, as well as their carers, to enjoy. The garden has been designed to be multi-sensory to prompt memory recall by appealing to senses such as sight, smell, touch, sound and even taste that come with the different seasons (Ref 1 & 2).
Address

Woodfield Park
Doncasater
DN4 8QN
United Kingdom

Location
The NBS is situated in an area, with clear delineation of boundaries and a specific shape (polygon). The NBS project can also have more than one area location (more than one polygon, situated close by).
Area boundary
POINT (-1.145394 53.495352)
POINT (-1.145301 53.495314)
POINT (-1.145366 53.495258)
POINT (-1.145461 53.495297)
NBS area image
Source of NBS area image
Google maps. Available at: https://www.google.com/maps/place/53%C2%B029'43.2%22N+1%C2%B008'43.3%22W/@53.4952597,-1.1454301,28m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d53.49533!4d-1.145363. Accessed on 19th October, 2020.
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Other
Please specify “other type of area” before implementation of the NBS
Hospital
Website of the intervention
https://www.rdash.nhs.uk/37675/doncaster-dementia-garden-is-launched/
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
unknown
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2012
End date of the intervention
2015
Present stage of the intervention
Completed
Goals of the intervention
- For people with dementia to safely enjoy the mental and sensory stimulation of flowers, plants and fresh air, benefiting their health and wellbeing.
- To enhance wellbeing, reduce agitation and stress by means of outdoor space.
- To include rather than exclude people with dementia and their carers in nature areas. (Ref 1, 2 & 3)
Quantitative targets
Unknown
Monitoring indicators defined
Unknown
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Green space creation and/or management
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social cohesion
Social interaction
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Improving mental health
Improving physical health
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Implementation activities
Create an accessible garden that provides sensory experiences of nature, such as smell and touch, in a context that is safe and enjoyable for all. The inspiration for the design came from the rich industrial heritage of the local community ensuring that features such as railway sleepers have become an integral part of the new garden. The available space has been maximised and used to create a garden with strong lines, including trellises with climbing plants, and a large water feature at its centre. Even paths have been provided for walking and wheelchairs and to allow people to enjoy the planting, much of which has been placed in raised beds for better access. The main curved seating area is sheltered from wind and sun by a large sail. (Ref 1, 2 & 6)
Type of NBS project
Creation of new green areas
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Community gardens and allotments
Community gardens
Please specify the number of plots or allotment gardens
Unknown
Vegetation Type
Shrubs
Flower beds
Garden beds
Please specify other amenities offered by the NBS
The garden is specifically designed and created for dementia patients. Hence, it has facilities for dementia patients mostly. The garden has been designed to be multi-sensory to prompt memory recall by appealing to senses such as sight, smell, touch, sound and even taste as we go through the seasons. (Ref 1)
Amenities offered by the NBS
Other
Please specify "other marginalized group"
Dementia patients
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Cultural services
Aesthetic appreciation
Recreation
Mental and physical health and wellbeing
Physical and experiential interactions with plants and animals
Social and community interactions
Scale
Spatial scale
Sub-microscale: Street scale (including buildings)
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Citizens or community groups
Marginalized groups
Marginalized groups
People with functional diversities
Other
Please specify other local relevant strategy
In 2012 the Doncaster Dementia Action Plan was drafted (Ref 8 & 9).
Governance
Governance arrangements
Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Non-government actors
Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital)
Private sector/Corporate/Business
Citizens or community groups
Coalition with multiple of the above
Other
Please specify other non-government actors involved
A Foundation Trust specifically connected to mental health services in the region.
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
- Public sector institution: The garden is connected to St. Catherine's mental health hospital and mostly targeted at their patients. Their specific role is not detailed (Ref 1)
- Private enterprise: Not-for-profit company "Flourish Enterprises" offered to lend out the plot of land for free. The garden is described as being "part of a social enterprise called Flourish" (Ref 2)
- Citizens: A garden designer drew all the plans for free (Ref 1)
- Other: The "Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust" is often mentioned in relation to funding and planning and to the broader strategy for a dementia-friendly Doncaste (Ref 6).
- The role of the local government is not specified
Key actors - initiating organization
Public sector institution
Private sector/corporate actor/company
Private foundation/trust
Land owners
Hospital
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
Local government/municipality
Public sector institution
Non-government organisation/civil society
Private sector/corporate actor/company
Private foundation/trust
Citizens or community group
Land owners
Hospital
Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used
Unknown
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to an Regional Directive/Strategy
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
Yes
Please specify the national regulations/strategy/plan
The project was enabled by the the 1 million British Pound funding from the national Department of Health pilot scheme "Developing Supportive Design for people with Dementia". Thus the project is a response to a national strategy for creating dementia-friendly environments (Ref 6).
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
Yes
Please specify the "local regulation/strategy/plan"
In 2012 the Doncaster Dementia Action Plan was drafted (Ref 8 & 9).
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Voluntary (spontaneous)
Please specify other type of voluntary intervention
A collaboration of different actors that all have an interest in creating a dementia-friendly environment in Doncaster (Ref 1 & 2)
Enablers
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS vision/strategy/plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS section/part in a more general plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify the general plan with GI/NBS section
The funding obtained from the Department of Health has lead to multiple plans that include green spaces such as gardens without making reference to concepts of GI or NBS (Ref 6)
If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme / type of the plan.
Other
Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Please specify
See comments secton 7
Presence of GI / NBS research project - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
The Doncaster Dementia Action Plan (Ref 8) as again referred to by the later-initiated Doncaster Dementia Strategic Partnership (Ref 9).
Subsidies/investment for GI / NBS in the city - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
The project was funded by the Department of Health through the King's Fund's Enhancing the Healing Environment dementia care programme and by local organisations, foundations, enterprises and local governments (Ref 6). Among the latter are Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group, Doncaster Council and the Older People’s Mental Health Services at Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) (Ref 1).
Co-finance for NBS
Yes
Co-financing governance arrangements
Unknown
Was this co-governance arrangement already in place, or was it set up specifically for this NBS?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
€100,000 - €500,000
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
Unknown
What are the total amount of expected annual maintenance costs?
Unknown
What is the expected annual maintenance costs of the NBS or GI elements?
Unknown
Please specify cost savings
Unknown
Please specify total cost (EUR)
220.000 British Pounds: 200.000 from the Department of Health through the King's Fund's Enhancing the Healing Environment dementia care programme, the remaining 20.000 from local organisations, foundations, enterprises and local government (Ref 6).
Source(s) of funding
Public national budget
Public local authority budget
Funds provided by non-governmental organization (NGO)
Private Foundation/Trust
Other
Please specify other source of funding
A trust: Postcote Lottery
Type of fund(s) used
Earmarked public budget
Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Donations
Non-financial contribution
Yes
Type of non-financial contribution
Provision of land
Provision of goods
Provision of labour
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
Private sector (businesses, financial institution)
Business models
Green health model
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Public actor (e.g. municipality)
Private non-for-profit actor (e.g. NGO, foundation)
Citizens / local communities
Type of innovation
Social
Cultural innovation
Please specify social innovation
A garden space is restructured and redefined as a tool for mental well-being of a group that is otherwise easily excluded from natural areas (Ref 1 & 2).
Novelty level of the innovation
The innovation is copied/derived from previous initiative(s) with substantial adaptation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
Pre-existing this intervention were several dementia projects that did not have NBS elements (Ref 8), but as an addition to these projects and as an additional function to an existing dementia home, this intervention came into being (Ref 1, 2, 4& 6).
Replicability/Transferability
The innovation is not referred to as being transferred to new initiative(s)
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Increased number of species present
Description of environmental benefits
1. The garden was designed with different types of flowering species. The place remains bloomed in spring, summer as well as in other seasons. It contributes to the city's biodiversity with a good variety of plant species throughout the year. (Ref 1)
Economic impacts
Unknown
Description of economic benefits
Unknown
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Improved access to urban green space
Increased visibility and opportunity for marginalised groups or indigenous peoples
Increased opportunities for social interaction
Health and wellbeing
Improved physical health
Improved mental health
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Cultural heritage and sense of place
Improvement in people’s connection to nature
Description of social and cultural benefits
1. The garden provides a place for dementia patients and their caregivers. It provides a place for them to interact and improve their bonding and connect with more people.
2. The garden improves the mental and the physical health of the patients greatly.
3. Along with the specially designed facilities (described in amenities section), the garden arranges small events and gathering parties for the patients. This has reported contributing to the mental health of the patients.
4. The specially designed sensory amenities of the garden helps the patients to connect more with nature and to get recover from their disease for some time.
5. Though created for dementia patients, the place welcomes other visitors as well. (Ref 1 & 3)
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Indicators
Accessibility for everyone, sensory amenities (senses of sight, smell, touch and sound are stimulated) and number of dementia patient visitors. (Ref 1 & 5).
Environmental, social and economic impacts
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
No information available
Environmental justice: The implementation of the NBS project resulted in ...
Positive distribution of NBS benefits
Improved access to green and/or blue spaces
Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?
No information was found regarding negative impacts of the project
COVID-19 pandemic
Unknown as of October, 2020.
Methods of impact monitoring
Process of recording NBS impacts
Conduct a baseline survey before and after NBS implementation
Methods used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Focus groups
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No
Impact assessment mechanism
Name of any specific impact assessment tools
unknown
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
No
Citizen involvement
Citizens involvement in assessment/evaluation
Unknown
Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation
Unknown
Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment
Unknown
References
Web links relevant to the intervention
Ref 1: Doncaster dementia garden is launched
Ref 2: Garden tea party held by Doncaster dementia charity
Ref 4: Garden retreat for older people
Ref 3: Doncaster marks Dementia Awareness Week
Ref 5: Doncaster selected for 1m national Department of health dementia pilot […
Ref 6: Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust
Documents relevant to the intervention
Attachment Size
Ref 8: Doncaster Dementia Action Plan 2012-2015 draft (413.24 KB) 413.24 KB
Ref 9: Doncaster Dementia Strategic Partnership (954.64 KB) 954.64 KB
List of references
Ref 1: NHS Foundation Trust. (2015). Doncaster dementia garden is launched. Retrieved from https://www.rdash.nhs.uk/37675/doncaster-dementia-garden-is-launched/ on 19th October, 2020.
Ref 2: Doncaster Free Press. (2020). Garden tea party held by Doncaster dementia charity. Retrieved from https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/people/garden-tea-party-held-doncaster-dementia-charity-2921995 on 19th October, 2020.
Ref 3: Doncaster Free Press. (2016). Doncaster marks Dementia Awareness Week. Retrieved from http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/doncaster-marks-dementia-awareness-week-1-7954181 on 19th October, 2020.
Ref 4: Building Better healthcare. (2012). Garden retreat for older people. Retrieved from https://www.buildingbetterhealthcare.co.uk/news/article_page/Garden_retreat_for_older_people/75043 on 19th October, 2020.
Ref 5: NHS Foundation Trust. (n.d.). Doncaster selected for 1m national Department of health dementia pilot. Retrieved from http://www.dbh.nhs.uk/Doncaster_selected_for_1m_dementia_pilot.aspx on 19th October, 2020.
Ref 6: The King's Fund. (n.d.). Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust. Retrieved from https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/projects/enhancing-healing-environment/completed-projects/rotherham-doncaster-and-south-humber-nhs on 19th October, 2020.
Ref 7: Shadow Health & Well Being Board. (2012). Doncaster Dementia Action Plan 2012-2015 draft.
Ref 8: Doncaster Dementia Strategic Partnership. (2015). Adults and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel Dementia Friendly Communities Progress Update.

Comments and notes
Comments
The data is mostly retrieved from online articles about the intervention, as very limited official documentation is available.

1./Timeline: Information regarding the starting time and launching time is sometimes clashing between the different articles and the current input is based on the earliest and latest date mentioned.
Additional insights
4/enablers/q5: Regarding the topic of partnerships: The Doncaster Dementia Strategic Partnership did not exist at the time this intervention was initiated and thus was not of great importance to this intervention. However, it does draw attention to that a partnership that is in fact focussed on a different topic (i.e. dementia) can have strategies that involve NBS or GI.
Public Images
Garden for Dementia patients
The King's Fund
https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/projects/enhancing-healing-environment/completed-projects/rotherham-doncaster-and-south-humber-nhs