Flensburg: Gardening can be much more than just tending the garden: With the allotment garden project, AWO Schleswig-Holstein in Flensburg is taking a new approach to employment in outpatient and inpatient care. "With this idea, we are also focusing on the biographies of our residents," says Rainer Mühe, head of AWO's Flensburg service homes. "We hope to be able to offer meaningful activities in our garden, especially for men who have little time for the usual activities such as knitting or gymnastics." The garden is located in the allotment garden colony 121 "Mummsche Koppel".
Fresh air to combat depression
People with physical and mental disabilities will also find simple but varied tasks in the new allotment garden of the Flensburg Service Houses. From planting and sowing to weeding and harvesting: The garden is open to all residents and their ideas. Spending time outdoors prevents depression and the new task reduces the feeling of boredom and meaninglessness for many older people. In addition, the project is not only intended to bring the residents of the service houses together, but also to intensify contact with neighbors and other generations, such as the Danish kindergarten in the neighborhood, in the allotment garden. "The physical exercise also improves stamina, coordination and balance," says Jürgen Stickel, Head of Flensburg Care Services, "and generally improves mental and physical well-being." An allotment for everyone and for all the senses.
