The Mornington Centre’s Flinders Ward sensory garden gets the green thumb treatment from Melissa Schaller and Bunnings Warehouse Mornington Activities Organiser Jenny Mann.
Patients are growing and picking even more fruit and vegetables at The Mornington Centre thanks to another generous contribution made by the local Bunnings Warehouse.
Wearing their familiar red shirts, the hardware giant’s Mornington team dropped by this month donating an abundance of produce seedlings – and a bit of hard yakka – to complement TMC’s three sensory gardens.
Patients Allan Brilliant and Melissa Schaller did not hesitate to work their green thumbs, turning over the soil with fresh mulch and giving the Flinders Ward sensory garden bed a sprinkle of water.
Diversional therapist Maureen Donovan thanked the local Bunnings team for their contributions in creating a greener landscape in the outdoor spaces at The Mornington Centre.
Bunnings Activities Organiser Jenny Mann waters the Flinders Ward garden alongside Diversional Therapist Maureen Donovan and patients Allan Brilliant and Melissa Schaller.
“We’re very lucky to have this support from Jenny and the team at Mornington Bunnings and all our staff and patients are so appreciative of what is being created here,” says Maureen.
“When you are in hospital for any length of time and you have thinking and memory problems, then to have some occupation is really important in getting patients off the ward.”
“We know that being outside, getting in touch with nature, seeing things grow is so important for people’s mental and physical health, especially for those who may be facing long periods on the wards.”
Patient Allan Brilliant waters cos lettuce in the Flinders Ward sensory garden.
Bunnings Mornington Activities Organiser Jenny Mann says she loves seeing the difference each donation has had on transforming the sensory gardens at The Mornington Center over a number of years.
“We really enjoy coming out regularly and seeing the difference this garden is making for the staff and the patients here,” says Jenny.
“Every year we will come down with bags of potting mix, some vegetable seedlings and also gardening tools, to keep these gardens looking their best as the seasons change.”
“The produce is looking healthy and well and this spot here on Flinders Ward really gets a great amount of sun which is great.”