Significantly works have been done to improve the outdoor space at Manannan Court acute mental health inpatient unit.
Manx Care and the Ballamona Association for Mental Health have worked to together to create the refreshed outdoor area.
The Ballamona Association is a local charity that support initiatives to improve the mental health and wellbeing of individuals in receipt of mental health care.
They specifically wanted to support the patients in Manannan Court, so the team shared their ideas for improving the outdoor space at Glen Suite, which supports older adults with mental health difficulties.
Given the benefits of being outdoors for mental, emotional and physical health, and of having a therapeutic environment that supports recovery, these improvements were really important to the team.
Improved Outdoor Space
As an Occupational Therapist, Dawn Quayle is passionate about the development of meaningful occupational activities for patients.
Dawn said: “We’ve worked with the Ballamona Association to improve the outdoor space for our Glen Suite patients, with the association generously donating planters, plants, and the ‘pièce de résistance’, a large multi-purpose ‘garden room’ built by local company Cedarmann, to be used year-round.”
“Research supports spaces being defined as areas of familiarity for patients, and so the plans are to transform the space depending on needs, interests, and the time of year. “
Dawn added: “So, it may be a café serving afternoon tea, or a country pub serving (non-alcoholic) drinks and snacks. It may be a space for crafts, for therapies, or somewhere to engage in meditation or relaxation.”
The new outdoor space will be officially opened today, at which time the name of the building will be unveiled, after a vote by Manx Care staff, patients and carers.
3 Comments