Inspirational woman opens inspirational garden

Inspirational Woman of the Year Sylvie Silver was guest of honour at the opening of a sensory garden at Sanctuary Care’s Ashley House care home in Bordon, Hampshire.

On Tuesday Sylvie, Director of the National Association of Providers of Activities for Older People (NAPA), a voluntary organisation committed to increasing the profile and understanding of the activity needs of older people, officially opened the Breath of Fresh Air garden.

The garden has been specially designed for residents with dementia. There is a galvanised porch roof with fibre optic stars so they can sit and listen to the rain, a stunning waterfall with lights so that it can be enjoyed by people inside the home and a traditional telephone box and bus stop to encourage reminiscence.

Sylvie said: “It was such a pleasure to open the garden and see the enjoyment it brought to everybody. I love visiting Ashley House because it feels like coming home.”

The home’s manager Margaret Powell added: “The day was wonderful all staff and residents dressed for the occasion and enjoyed a champagne reception. The theme for the day was butterflies – our motto is be like a butterfly and change the moment.”

The garden was named after NAPA’s Breath of Fresh Air competition, which encourages homes to think of creative ways to bring fresh air to residents. Last year the home came second in the competition after activities leader Stella Charman built a beach in the home’s garden.

Margaret added: “It is truly a tranquil and peaceful place for residents to relax and we are really delighted that Sylvie opened it for us.”

Sylvie was named the Daily Mail’s Inspirational Women of the Year in recognition of her tireless work with NAPA and her voluntary work as wing commander of the London Air Training Corps (ATC). The ATC provides young cadets with the chance to fly gliders, sample a taste of service life and develop life and leadership skills.