Tonbridge and Malling Council volunteers help create new sensory garden at a local mental health centre
Date added: 18 September 2026
Last updated: 18 September 2026
The Kent and Medway Mental Health Charity welcomed a team of volunteers from Tonbridge and Malling Council on Thursday 17 September, who helped put the finishing touches to a new sensory garden at Rosebud Centre in West Malling, an inpatient rehabilitation unit supporting people with enduring and complex mental health needs.
Designed with input from patients, the garden includes a wildlife area, pond and fountain, covered seating, raised planters and garden ornaments.
Kirsty McInnes, Charity and Volunteers Lead at Kent and Medway Mental Health Charity, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the wonderful team from Tonbridge and Malling Council for volunteering their time at Rosebud. It has been fantastic to see everyone working together to create a space that will have a lasting impact on the people who live and work here.
“A sensory garden can provide a place to pause, relax, connect with nature and support therapeutic activities, and we are delighted to see it taking shape.”
Rosebud Centre has 10 beds and provides care and support for people aged 18 and over as they work towards recovery. The new garden will provide a peaceful outdoor space for individual therapy sessions, group activities and relaxation, while giving residents and staff an opportunity to enjoy nature.
Ludmila Garrett, Chair of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council Women’s Network Group, said: “We’ve had an absolutely fantastic day volunteering at Rosebud – everyone has made us feel so welcome. Knowing the difference that this pond and sensory garden will make to residents has been a real motivation for the group and we’re delighted to have been able to make so much progress.
“It’s been a privilege to be able to give back to this group knowing they need benefit from this newly planted oasis of calm. We can’t wait to see it spring into life next year.”
The garden has been made possible through the generosity of volunteers, businesses and community partners.
The charity would also like to thank Croudace Homes, which donated fence paint and provided volunteer hours to paint and prepare the area; Amazon UK, which donated the large parasol; HiQ Tyres, which donated tyres to be used as planters; and Galliford Try, which is carrying out works at Priority House, for making, donating and delivering a bench and wooden planter.
Kirsty McInnes added: “This garden is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when people come together with a shared commitment to supporting mental health.
“We would like to thank every volunteer, business and organisation that has contributed. Their generosity has helped transform an outdoor space into somewhere that will support wellbeing, therapy and relaxation for the Rosebud community.”
The project demonstrates how local businesses, volunteers and community organisations can come together to create a lasting benefit for people using mental health services.
