Milton Keynes, UK, 2014-5-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — Homebase, one of the UK’s leading garden centres, has launched Dianthus “Memories” plant, to help raise money for its charity partner Alzheimer’s Society and sister charities in Scotland and Ireland.
This year, over 100,000 people in the UK and the Republic of Ireland will develop dementia. 25p from the sale of every “Memories” plant (RRP £4 for a pot or £10 for a tray of 6 bedding plants) will go towards supporting people living with dementia to stay in their own homes for longer, maintaining the lifestyle and independence which makes them who they are.
The plant, grown by award winning grower Whetman Pinks based in Devon, is hardy, ideal for pots or borders and is highly scented – making it a good choice for planting in a dementia friendly garden.
Gardens can be a great retreat and sense of comfort to people living with dementia. It’s a great place to socialise with family and friends, which can reduce feelings of isolation. It can also stimulate the senses with colours, smells and textures.
Amy Whidburn, Head of Corporate Responsibility for Homebase said: “There really is no place like home and familiar aspects of gardening can prompt reminiscence. We’re excited to be selling the hardy “Memories” flower, which makes a great addition to a dementia friendly garden, as well as raising vital funds for Alzheimer’s Society.”
Jeremy Hughes, Alzheimer’s Society Chief Executive says, “The garden is such an important focal part of people’s homes. It’s wonderful that sales of the Dianthus “Memories” plant will go towards helping so many people with dementia to remain living in their own home, enjoying their gardens and feeling safe in familiar surroundings whilst maintaining their lifestyle and independence.”
The garden can also have many therapeutic effects. It’s an environment that can be very calming, helping to reduce agitation. Gardening is great form of exercise, which can keep people supple and mobile so they are independent for longer. Exercise may improve memory and slow mental decline, as well as preventing boredom and depression.
It is also important that gardens are safe havens for people living with dementia, without potentially harmful or thorny plants.
The money raised from the sales of Dianthus “Memories” plant will go towards helping thousands of people with dementia live full lives in their homes and local communities through funding Singing for the Brain® groups, Dementia Cafes and Dementia Support services around the UK and Ireland. Together Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer Scotland and The Alzheimer Society of Ireland are Homebase and Argos’ charity partner 2013 – 2015.
To find out more visit www.alzheimers.org.uk/noplacelikehome
ENDS
Note to News Editors:
For more advice about how to create a dementia friendly garden, see: The positive effects of gardening for people living with dementia http://bit.ly/1ns7YfK.
For more information contact the Homebase Press Office:
0845 120 4365 / media.relations@homebase.co.uk
For all the latest news and images visit www.homeretailgroup.com/news-and-media
Follow us @Homebase_PR
Alzheimer’s Society press desk:
0845 0744 395 / Vicky Ames: vicky.ames@alzheimers.org.uk
About Homebase
Homebase is a leading home enhancement retailer selling around 38,000 products for the home and garden. It has 323 large, out-of-town stores throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland serving around 60 million customers a year, and a growing internet offering at www.homebase.co.uk. In the financial year to February 2014, Homebase sales were £1.5 billion and it employed some 18,000 people across the business.
Homebase is part of Home Retail Group, the UK’s leading home and general merchandise retailer.
About Whetman Pinks
Whetman Pinks was established in 1936. The nursery is situated in a valley three miles from Dawlish. Whetman has a long history as a market garden and cut flower producer. Today, more than 5 million plants are produced on the nursery and shipped world wide.
Whetman Pinks is a family firm dedicated to the production of the highest quality young plants and are the world leaders in their field.
In 2013 Whetman Pinks won the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise for International Trade and was voted Overall Grower of the Year. In 2012 they won Western Morning News Employer of the Year Award.
Dianthus “Memories”
Dianthus “Memories” was voted best in Show, National Plant Show 2011, best new herbaceous perennial, Grower of the Year Awards 2013 and was runner up, RHS Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year 2012.
Home Retail Group Charity Partnership
- Together Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer Scotland and The Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland are Home Retail Group’s charity partner 2013 – 2015. Home Retail Group comprises Argos, Homebase and Habitat.
- The majority (83%) of people with dementia want to live in their own homes and yet more than one in ten people living with the condition will go unnecessarily into long term care because they don’t have enough support.
- This year, over 100,000 people in the UK and the Republic of Ireland will develop dementia. Together Home Retail Group, Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer Scotland and The Alzheimer Society of Ireland will raise millions to support them to stay in their own home and be part of community life for as long as possible.
- The money raised by Argos and Homebase colleagues and customers will fund Singing for the Brain® therapy groups, Dementia Cafes and Dementia Support services around the UK and Ireland.
- You can support our work by calling 0845 678 7678 or visiting www.alzheimers.org.uk/noplacelikehome
Dementia, Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer Scotland and The Alzheimer Society of Ireland
- There are over 840,000 people in the UK and the Republic of Ireland living with dementia today. Numbers are set to rise to 1 million by 2021.
- People can read about living well with dementia at www.alzheimers.org.uk/hometips
- The statistics in this press release are calculated using findings from three Alzheimer’s Society reports – Support.Stay.Save. Dementia UK and Mapping the Dementia Gap. New figures taken from Alzheimer’s Society’s Support. Stay. Save report 2011 have been applied to ‘Dementia 2012’ prevalence figures.
- Dementia can happen to anyone. It is caused by brain diseases; the most common is Alzheimer’s. As the brain shuts down, a person gradually loses the ability to do the things many of us take for granted from enjoying conversations with family or friends to eating or dressing without help. There is currently no cure for dementia. But with the right support, people can live well with dementia.
- Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer Scotland and The Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland champion the rights of people living with dementia and the millions of people who care for them.
- Alzheimer’s Society is the leading support and research charity for people with dementia, their families and carers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Alzheimer Scotland provides information and support to people with dementia, their carers and families in Scotland and also funds research. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is the leading dementia specific service provider in Ireland.
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