Real stories

Spending time in nature when you have dementia can help your wellbeing

A while ago, I bought some woodland with hopes of developing something there when I retired from my work at Trading Standards. 

But when I was about to retire, an unexpected opportunity arose. Work really took off when some of the smaller countries joined the European Union and I helped them to find the experts they needed. 

I initially bought three acres of woodland with a six-acre field at the back. But by the time I’d finished work, nature had taken its course.

I visited one day and thought, ‘What are those spikes coming out of the ground?’ Of course, they were trees. So now I have nine acres of woodland! 

Keeping active after dementia diagnosis

I was diagnosed with dementia around seven years ago. I sometimes have to be careful about what I say or do, and my memory is short. 

Other than that, I’ve been able to manage very well, and the woodland helps. 

I had to surrender my driving licence, so my wife Julia drops me off there around once a week – with lunch of course! This depends on the weather, but I do have a shed to protect me from the elements. 

There’s always something to do, like clearing up after storms, collecting logs for firewood or repairing the boundary fence. 

I also make sure the deer can leap over, so they’ve always got access through the wood. 

Staying safe 

I carry a mobile phone in case something happens when I’m alone. 

I also have a GPS tracker on a necklace. Julia can access my location on her mobile phone and see exactly where I am. 

This is handy as you can imagine trying to find me somewhere in nine acres of woodland would be quite difficult! 

The woodland is also relatively close to home, about six or seven miles away. 

Stress free 

The woodland is a good place to relax and be active, otherwise I’d sit around too much and get very down. 

The woods are particularly wonderful at bluebell time, when they’re carpeted in acres of blue flowers. 

We’ve set up an automatic wildlife camera there. The deer use the woodland as a corridor, and occasionally we see badgers and rabbits on the film. 

It’s all been quite interesting to see what they get up to when I’m not there. 

Space for groups 

We have also used the space for hosting members of the University of the Third Age and gardening groups. 

They come along and we talk about all the nature and the woodland, with tea and cake provided by Julia of course. 

Dementia is really not on my mind when I’m enjoying myself in the woods – except if I leave a wood saw or tools somewhere. 

Trying to find them again can take ages!