Votes plea as Blackpool gardens in line for total makeover

Staff at Gilwood Lodge, in South Shore, want to create a sensory garden for residents

Gilwood Lodge, on Clifton Drive, is hoping to get enough votes to transform the lives of its residents – who suffer from dementia –by creating a sensory garden for them to enjoy.

Meanwhile, Maria Gidman has entered in the hopes of making her garden more accessible for her son Darren (inset), who has cerebral palsy and is wheelchair dependant.

Both will be hoping to secure enough votes to win when the competition, run by MyBuilder.com, ends on May 20.

Maria Gidman wants to make her garden more accessible for her son Darren, who uses a wheelchair

Jill Bowler, who works at Gilwood Lodge, said: “For our residents and friends with dementia who walk a lot, time spent in gardens can help them relax and feel calm.

“People with dementia will generally be less likely to become agitated and distressed if they can have regular access to fresh air and exercise and a quiet space away from others.”

And Maria said: “Darren loves to be in the garden spending time with his family and care team.

“We are unable to maintain the garden at the moment as my husband has recently had spinal surgery and now his mobility is sadly bad and he will also need the use of a wheelchair soon.”

For details of entries and to vote, follow the links for the Gilwood Lodge and Maria.