Rochdale Infirmary's 'Oasis Garden' transformed with donation from Crown Paints

The project was supported by the donation of 120 litres of paint by Darwen-based Crown Paints

Rochdale Infirmary, with support from its official charity, NorthCare, has officially opened a unique Oasis Garden, an outdoor space designed to support patients living with dementia or cognitive impairments.

The project was supported by the donation of 120 litres of paint by Darwen-based Crown Paints, including paint specially formulated in an easy to view 'dementia blue' shade.

Around 500 patients will use the garden, which opened last week, each year. Crown Paints’ Sadolin Yacht Varnish was used on the planters and Sadolin Superdec Satin Opaque Wood Protection was used on the furniture situated throughout the garden, making it easier for patients to see and use, as part of its transformation.

The Oasis Garden has been created using charitable funds, donations from local companies, and support from volunteers, to provide Rochdale Infirmary’s patients, their families and colleagues with a break from the hospital environment and a safe space to spend time together. It features custom flowerbeds and planters at the right size and height to be used by patients in wheelchairs or with limited mobility, as well as a designated area for employee wellbeing.

Russell Kitchen, operations support manager at Crown Paints, said: “As proud national charity partners of the Alzheimer’s Society, it was a real honour to support on the transformation of the Oasis Garden. Rochdale Infirmary plays a crucial role supporting people in the local area who are living with dementia or cognitive impairments, as well as their families.

“We know the transformative power that colour and paint can have, and we’re proud to be able to provide a donation that has helped make the Oasis Garden a reality.

“This donation forms part of Project Possible, our ambitious environmental and social strategy, which aims to make a positive impact on community spaces and bring people together.”

In 2023, Crown Trade donated to over 479 community groups and charities across the UK and Ireland, as part of its commitment to recycling, reusing, and repurposing paint to reduce waste.

Karen Casper, fundraising officer at NorthCare Charity, said: “The Oasis Garden has been an 18-month labour of love. To see it in use now makes it worth all of the hard work and determination of everyone involved in the project. We’re grateful to Crown Paints and our other partners who provided advice, materials and labour in helping us deliver this project that will have a massive impact on the wellbeing of our patients for years to come.”

The Crown donation consisted of 30 litres of Crown Trade Gloss colour matched to the shade ‘Dementia Blue’ – a unique hue developed by the Crown Colour Studio in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society. 40 litres of Sadolin Yacht Varnish and 50 litres of Sadolin Poly Varnish were also donated.