Livability Talbot Manor is a residential care home for 10 young adults with physical and intellectual disabilities in Bournemouth, Dorset.

In March 2020, it was simply unimaginable the devastating toll coronavirus would have on the disabled community. Between March and May 2020, of all UK deaths, 6 in 10 deaths were people with disabilities people who ordinarily should have expected to have a full life expectancy.

The people we support at Talbot Manor have spent much of the past 18 months shielding, unable to go out into the community and take part in their normal routine. The concentration of people being at home all day, every day, gave us all the chance to stop and reflect together on what was missing at home now that everyones lives were less busy. The people we support asked that the garden area at the care home be given some love and attention, so they have an outdoor space to enjoy.

We would love to renovate the garden at Talbot Manor to make it more accessible and a space that the people we support can use and enjoy. In its current format the space does not meet the needs of our young residents. They would like us to improve the outside space with proper surfacing, planting, seating, shade and sensory items so that they can socialise, have picnics and enjoy nature.

The therapeutic benefits of access to the outdoors are undeniable. People with complex behavioural disabilities, like autism, can benefit from calming environments supporting them to self-regulate their moods and alleviate anxiety.

The coronavirus lockdowns highlighted to us all the importance of a garden or green space for our mental health and well-being. People with disabilities are almost three times more likely to have poor mental health compared to people without disabilities and after 18 months fully or partially shielding due to Covid-19, being able to improve the mental health of the people we support is a high priority.

The pandemic has caused many of the people we support to feel cut off and isolated from loved ones and their communities. Due to their disabilities they remain at high risk from Covid-19 despite vaccination. This has meant that unlike the vast majority of people, they have had to wait until later steps in the road map to enjoy socialising and reuniting with friends and loved ones. However, with your support we can help the people we support reconnect with nature to improve mental health and wellbeing.

£10 could purchase a sensory plant for the garden

£50 could purchase a fully accessible raised bed to grow flowers and vegetables

£100 could purchase a sun parasol to provide shade.