The University of Cambridge (UCM) Portals to the World programme sessions are designed in association with Dementia Compass to offer opportunities for people with dementia and their companions to engage with the University’s different collections. Each session promotes the physical and cognitive health of participants, and each participant couple is assigned a volunteer to ease the visit.
Portals to the World sessions in the Garden
The first group of the programme’s participants to visit the Botanic Garden were led on an adapted trail focussing on the history of the Redwood trees with discussion and exploration of the trees using touch. The programme has developed a range of special trails in the Garden as described in the leaflets below.
The Redwoods
These giants of the Botanic Garden are hundreds of years old and draw visitors from far and wide.
Inks and Dyes in Nature
Discover some of the plants growing in the Garden which create vibrant dyes.
Plants for Health
Find out how people have used plants to support health and develop medicines.
Pollinators
Spot the plants that attract a range of pollinating insects.
Read more about Portals to the World programme on the Dementia Compass website.
