A gardening project to help people with early dementia has bloomed thanks to the support of community and voluntary organisations.

Mansfield Lions donated £250 towards activities at the Thursday Club, which caters for older people who may be frail and experiencing the first signs of dementia.

Some of the money was used to ask Men in Sheds, Blidworth, to design and build two large outdoor troughs at an accessible height for the elderly, particularly those in wheelchairs.

The troughs were first planted with summer bedding plants, donated by Floralands Garden Village.

The Lions and Chris Riley, from Men in Sheds, visited the club and helped members replant the troughs with winter pansies and spring bulbs, donated by local firm, Shirley Nurseries, Papplewick.

Cheryl Thompson, Thursday Club activities organiser, said “Gardening is important to our members because it is seasonal and helps them to orientate themselves to the time of year.

“Members find it therapeutic and enjoy watering and tending the plants.”

The remainder of the monies have been used to purchase reminiscence packs and music CDs.

Volunteers and members are pictured with Mansfield Lions (red sweatshirts) Nigel Canham, Terry Partridge, Brian Johnson and Keith Moorehouse. Back row, Dr Peter Rose, chairman of Cornwater Clubs, and Chris Riley, of Men in Sheds. Front (black T-shirts) are staff Cheryl Thompson and Josie Quarshie.