Public vote to support Aden Country Park’s sensory and carers gardens with more than £37,000
With thanks to public support during the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Participatory Budget Fund vote, more than £37,000 will go towards restoring the much-loved sensory and carer gardens within Aden Country Park.
Aberdeenshire Council and the Friends of Aden worked in partnership to attract the £37,347 worth of funding that will improve accessibility to the gardens, replace broken fencing and flower beds, improve habitats, introduce new plants, install wildlife sculptures, and ultimately help the local community connect with nature.
Aden’s Carers’ Garden was the first garden in the UK specifically designed and built for Carers. In the UK, three out of every five people may become an unpaid carer at some point in their life. The Carers’ Garden was built not only as a space for relaxation, but also for carers to meet and to give those who need care a chance to enjoy the garden.
The Aden Sensory garden offers therapeutic, educational, and recreational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. They stimulate the senses with textures, scents, sounds, and sights that can reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance emotional and sensory processing. These gardens serve as hands-on learning environments—promoting skill development and even physical rehabilitation.
Linda Bolger, Friends of Aden Vice Chair said:
“The Carers and Sensory gardens were created over 20 years ago, and are now in need
of restoration and repair. This funding will enable us to make the gardens thrive again, ensuring that they continue to offer a safe, peaceful corner of the park, where all our visitors can connect with nature”.
Dan Shaw, Chief Executive of Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action (AVA), said:
“AVA is pleased to offer our congratulations to Friends of Aden on their successful application to this year’s Just Transition Fund. Their award shows the importance of including communities in collective decision making and we look forward to seeing how their vital work on the Carers and Sensory Garden project progresses.”
“The Just Transition Fund is a £500 million, multi-year fund from the Scottish Government which supports projects across Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray who are seeking to develop projects within their communities which work towards our net zero future. We work with ACVO, NESCAN Hub and TSI Moray to administer the fund across these areas.”
Cllr Alan Turner, Chair of the council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, said:
“Working in partnership with the Friends of Aden, this funding will ensure that the Aden Country Park’s Carers and Sensory Gardens will continue to be enjoyed by the local community and visitors alike. We’re grateful for the support of Friends of Aden and this is a good example of what partnership working can achieve.”
Since launching in 2022, the Just Transition Participatory Budget Fund has allocated more than £4.5 million to more than 180 community led eco-friendly projects across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray. The fund is delivered locally on behalf of the Scottish Government by ACVO TSI, Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action, tsiMORAY, Money for Moray, and NESCAN Hub.
Pictured from left to right are Sheila Dargie (Friends of Aden Chair), John Sibbert (Aberdeenshire Council Landscape Services Officer) & Linda Bolger (Friends of Aden Vice Chair) in the gardens.
