Initiative Description

The Therapeutic Garden is a municipal garden designed to promote healthy aging, strengthen social relationships, promote equality, and facilitate community gathering, all in harmony with the natural environment. Through its design and activities, it contributes to environmental protection and respect for the biodiversity of the local ecosystem. It is a resource managed by the Department of Social Services and Seniors. Its main objective is to prevent and improve dependency and foster social and community relationships, using a person-centered care approach to maximize involvement and therapeutic benefits.
The space is designed with universal accessibility, allowing the participation of people with any type of disability through adapted tools and materials.

Therapeutic Garden Activities:

• Occupational and physical therapy activities, including therapeutic horticulture.
• Cognitive stimulation and relaxation techniques, promoting health and well-being.
• Sociocultural activities, promoting equality and inclusion.
• Recycling and composting activities, fostering responsible production and consumption.

Implementation Period

It started in 2018 and has no end date.

Methodology

The Therapeutic Garden’s methodology integrates nature into all therapies, applying a person-centered care approach to ensure maximum involvement of participants. Universal accessibility is prioritized, ensuring that all activities are inclusive and adapted to different abilities.
The space features differentiated areas for the development of physical and occupational therapies, providing suitable environments for each type of intervention. Additionally, individualized monitoring is carried out in coordination with the involved stakeholders, ensuring comprehensive care. All of this is achieved through collaborative work, fostering synergies and strategic alliances.

Resources

The launch of the Therapeutic Garden has required a combination of human, technical, and economic resources essential for its development and sustainability. In terms of human resources, it has been essential to have a multidisciplinary team that includes professionals specialized in occupational therapies, social work, environmental education, and therapeutic horticulture, as well as support staff for managing and energizing activities.

Regarding technical resources, adapted materials and tools have been allocated to ensure universal accessibility, in addition to adapting the space with differentiated areas for the various therapies. Sustainable infrastructures have also been implemented for garden maintenance and the development of activities adapted to the natural environment.

From an economic perspective, the initiative has required municipal investment for environmental adaptation, the acquisition of specific materials, and the hiring of necessary personnel for its operation. These resources have allowed for the creation of an inclusive and therapeutic space that promotes health, well-being, and social integration.

Coordination

At an internal level, coordination is carried out between the professionals of the Social Services and Seniors team and the resource’s therapists. Coordination is also promoted with other resources such as Special Education Centers, Health Centers, Residences for the Elderly, Disability Care Resources, Mental Health, Educational Centers, etc.
External: The therapeutic garden has had the active participation of key stakeholders such as citizens and the associative fabric. They have contributed proposals and collaborate in activity planning, ensuring that these respond to the real demands of the community and promote the inclusion and well-being of the people participating in it.

Stakeholder Involvement and Alliance Building

The Therapeutic Garden has had the active participation of various key stakeholders, including citizens, third-sector organizations, the cultural sector, and educational centers. Each of them has contributed their vision and experience to identify specific needs and define the project’s design.
Furthermore, they have provided proposals and collaborated in activity planning, ensuring that these respond to the real demands of the community and promote inclusion, well-being, and environmental sustainability.

INNOVATION What are the most innovative aspects of the initiative?

The project incorporates nature as a therapeutic element, promoting healthy aging through seasonal outdoor activities that delay dependency and foster social and community relationships.
Its multidisciplinary intervention model, with differentiated spaces for physical and occupational therapies, and coordination with various local agents (citizens, social entities, associations, and educational centers), reinforces its community impact.

The most innovative aspects of the Therapeutic Garden “The Senses” in Coslada lie in its comprehensive approach that combines health, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. Its innovative methodology is based on person-centered care, adapting each therapy to individual needs and promoting universal accessibility, which allows the participation of people with disabilities and seniors in a natural environment designed for well-being.

Replicability, scalability, and transferability: What elements should be considered for the replicability of the initiative in another Local Entity?

To replicate the Therapeutic Garden “The Senses” in another Local Entity, it is key to have an accessible space, coordinate with local agents, apply a person-centered care approach, and have a multidisciplinary team. Additionally, a sustainable funding strategy and an evaluation system are required to guarantee its impact and adaptation to the needs of the territory.

Obstacles: What have been the main obstacles encountered in the different phases of the project?

Communicating an innovative resource required a comprehensive communication plan adjusted to each phase of the project’s development.
Financial sustainability has required careful planning to ensure the project’s continuity and scope.

Triple impact: To what extent has the triple impact been considered in the design and execution of the initiative?

The Therapeutic Garden The Senses is environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable, integrating a triple impact approach into all its actions.
Socially, it contributes to the well-being of seniors and people with disabilities, promoting healthy aging, inclusion, and universal accessibility. The project has
generated a relational space that strengthens the community fabric.
Environmentally, the project fosters connection with nature, promotes respect for the local ecosystem, and develops activities such as therapeutic horticulture, promoting rational use of natural resources and composting.
Economically, thanks to municipal planning, its long-term sustainability and development are guaranteed.

Is it environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable?

Environmentally, it promotes respect for the local ecosystem and responsible consumption through activities such as therapeutic horticulture, recycling, and composting. Economically, it is maintained through municipal planning. Socially, it promotes inclusion, universal accessibility, and the well-being of seniors and people with disabilities, strengthening community
cohesion and combating unwanted loneliness.

Results, Measurement, and Impact.

The project has generated positive results and impacts in the social, environmental, and health spheres. It has improved the quality of life for seniors and people with disabilities through outdoor therapies, promoting healthy aging, cognitive stimulation, and social inclusion. Additionally, it fosters environmental sustainability through horticulture, recycling, and composting activities, aligned with responsible consumption.
The project’s impact is measured annually through evaluation reports, which analyze the therapeutic and social effects. Participant surveys are also conducted, allowing for the collection of improvement suggestions and adapting programming to community needs.

Further Information:

Therapeutic Garden “The Senses”