More than £230,000 will be spent bringing the great outdoors to Havering care homes, thanks to a bid by Havering’s Dementia Care Partnership.

The government has splashed out £237,000 on a project to give dementia homes Abbcross Nursing Home, Romford; Emerson Court, Hornchurch; Parkside Residential Home, Romford; and Upminster Nursing Home more accessible, enjoyable gardens.

It’s part of the Department of Health’s £50million “dementia challenge”.

Vegetable patches, cushioned paths and even a beach garden and beach hut will be among the features put in place.

The council’s individuals boss Cllr Steven Kelly said: “We want all of our residents to have the highest quality of life possible, and I know these gardens will provide a beautiful landscape and calm environment for people with dementia.”