When it comes to innovation in dementia care, Bristol-based charity Alive Activities is planting seeds of change—and they’re blossoming beautifully.
Their pioneering dementia-friendly gardening and brewing projects have been recognised as finalists in the prestigious Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards 2025, celebrating the outstanding work of small non-profits across the UK.
Nominated for the Collaboration (Integration) Award, ‘Sanctuary Square’ offers dementia-friendly gardening and green crafts for older patients and their loved ones at the Bristol Royal Infirmary. A partnership between Alive Activities and Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity, the project has had a positive effect on those living in the ward.
Abigail Sweet, Alive’s community gardening manager and project manager for ‘Sanctuary Square’ said: “Over the past year and a half, we have been amazed at the outcomes for patients, which include developing confidence, creating friendships, providing shared activity amongst families, and improving relations with staff. It has been a joy to work in partnership with the Dementia, Delirium and Falls team at the BRI, going above and beyond for the whole hospital community.”
Up for the Development and Integration Award, Alive’s second nomination is for their ‘Hoppiness: Brewing in Care Homes’ project: a series of sessions in care homes that explore drinking culture with residents, engaging them in activities such as gardening, planting hops, and local brewery visits.
Collaborating with the University of Bristol ’s Brigstow Institute, the project has already garnered national attention.
Guy Manchester, Alive’s community allotment project officer and ‘Hoppiness’ project manager said: “When we began developing the Hoppiness Project, we had no idea how much it would capture people’s imaginations or how impactful it would be in challenging people’s conceptions of what residents in care homes want and should be doing. Pubs and drinking culture are deeply ingrained in the life experiences of so many people, and a connection to them shouldn’t be lost when someone goes into a care home.”
This year’s nominations follow on from a triumphant 2022 which saw Alive winning the Dementia Care Award for their dementia-friendly allotment in Brentry, and Technology Award for their digital Alive on Demand service.
The 11th Markel 3rd Sector Awards Ceremony will be held on March 14 at Birmingham’s The Grand Hotel.