Housing residents, staff, and partners of Central and Cecil (C&C) have walked a combined 1.75 million steps so far in January in support of a special fundraising project aiming to raise £25,000 to install sensory gardens at each of its four care homes.
The “Move for Care” initiative has invited C&C stakeholders to take part in two separate challenges that intend to attract wider donations and sponsorships which could enable the gardens to be built at the homes, situated in Richmond and Camden. Over £10,000 of the funds needed has now been raised.
The first challenge is a step challenge encouraging participants to stay active and keep moving throughout January and into February, and also to raise awareness of the ‘extra mile’ our carers go daily to support residents. C&C is hoping to record at least 9.5 million steps (equating to over 3,300 miles), and with several participants yet to have formally recorded their steps to date, the organisation is confident of smashing its target.
Anne Moor, a resident at Colville Court, a housing scheme that neighbours one of C&C’s care homes Homemead in Teddington, has herself been contributing between 8,000 and 10,000 steps per day.
“I’ve always liked walking, I love nature too,” she says.
“When ‘Move for Care’ was announced, I thought ‘alright, I’ll get involved’. It’s given me a really good reason to go out more, and I try and walk in both mornings and afternoons. I’ve even bought a bike too!
“The sensory gardens are a lovely idea. It’s so important for people with dementia or other ailments to experience sounds, smells and feels, and so these gardens can really help anyone who may feel anxious or stressed out.”
Julia Ashley, C&C Managing Director and over-55s Housing and Care Lead at Aster Group, added:
“We really want to do something that residents, colleagues and the public alike can get involved in, while raising money for something special and life-changing for our care home residents.
“The physical and mental health benefits associated with staying active cannot be overstated. In addition, “Move for Care” will be encouraging people of all ages to try something different and get moving at a time of year where it’s so easy to do little or no exercise.”
Once built, the sensory gardens will feature sensory musical equipment, raised herb and scented flower beds, a wildlife friendly area, green houses, and small water elements for the benefit of C&C’s care residents.
A second challenge, a fortnight-long dance-a-thon, will be taking part in February 2022. This will comprise in-person and virtual dance activities, including two dedicated Facebook Live events which are open to all, with detail on the website page.
Sponsorship and fundraising donations can be made on C&C’s dedicated Move for Care webpage while individuals and businesses keen to find out more about the project or sign up to the challenge can get in touch by e-mailing [email protected].
