Sprouting smiles at AHS
23/08/2024
A new raised garden bed in Armadale Health Service’s (AHS) Rehabilitation Ward is offering more than just a touch of greenery and accessibility. The project is a testament to community collaboration, with contributions from various local organisations and volunteers.
AHS Occupational Therapist (OT) Zachary Sarich’s idea for the raised garden bed stemmed from a desire to create a more engaging and interactive environment for patients undergoing rehabilitation.
David Ullah from Champion Lakes Lifestyle Village and Brian Beech from the Lion’s Club of Gosnells then took the lead in bringing Zachary’s vision to life. A big ‘thank you’ to Bunnings for generously donating the timber, and the Lion’s Club for funding the purchase of all the plants and soil.
Brian said the Lion’s Club of Gosnells is committed to community service and has been since 1969.
"This sort of thing is really what we do here – we help the community,” he smiled.
AHS Staff Development Nurse (SDN) and Lion’s Club member Kathleen ‘Kat’ Grey has witnessed firsthand the positive impact this project has had on patients.
"The patients are really enjoying the garden bed. It has been well received among the wheelchair-bound cohort of patients, as they are able to engage in gardening activities that they would otherwise just be observing," Kat said.
"It’s heartwarming to see them get involved, and you can tell it brings a sense of normalcy and satisfaction to their day."
The Allied Health Team at AHS has now integrated the raised garden bed into its care plans, using it as a therapeutic tool to assist inpatient rehabilitation.
“This has really enhanced the patient experience and created a more enriching environment for staff to engage with patients, using different modalities of assessments that are more realistic and meaningful," Kat explained.
"Having this garden bed has really transformed the atmosphere in the ward – it’s a small addition that has made a big difference," she concluded.
AHS Occupational Therapist (OT) Zachary Sarich’s idea for the raised garden bed stemmed from a desire to create a more engaging and interactive environment for patients undergoing rehabilitation.
David Ullah from Champion Lakes Lifestyle Village and Brian Beech from the Lion’s Club of Gosnells then took the lead in bringing Zachary’s vision to life. A big ‘thank you’ to Bunnings for generously donating the timber, and the Lion’s Club for funding the purchase of all the plants and soil.
Brian said the Lion’s Club of Gosnells is committed to community service and has been since 1969.
"This sort of thing is really what we do here – we help the community,” he smiled.
AHS Staff Development Nurse (SDN) and Lion’s Club member Kathleen ‘Kat’ Grey has witnessed firsthand the positive impact this project has had on patients.
"The patients are really enjoying the garden bed. It has been well received among the wheelchair-bound cohort of patients, as they are able to engage in gardening activities that they would otherwise just be observing," Kat said.
"It’s heartwarming to see them get involved, and you can tell it brings a sense of normalcy and satisfaction to their day."
The Allied Health Team at AHS has now integrated the raised garden bed into its care plans, using it as a therapeutic tool to assist inpatient rehabilitation.
“This has really enhanced the patient experience and created a more enriching environment for staff to engage with patients, using different modalities of assessments that are more realistic and meaningful," Kat explained.
"Having this garden bed has really transformed the atmosphere in the ward – it’s a small addition that has made a big difference," she concluded.
Last Updated:
22/07/2025