Hoppiness at St Monica Trust

Our goal is to grow, tend and harvest the hops – from beginning to end – with residents of all abilities, especially those who are living with dementia. The centenary beer will be brewed from hops grown at our retirement villages and care homes. Residents will also be involved in touring local breweries and marketing the finished product, with a celebration at the end of the project with a traditional Wassailing.

The activities involved in this experience include sensory stimulation, such as singing pub songs, smelling the hops, planting the hops, and, where appropriate, tasting beers.

Additionally, there is a focus on reminiscence, encouraging participants to think back to happy times spent in the garden, at the pub, and other cherished places. These activities are designed to engage the senses and joyful recollections, providing a meaningful and immersive experience.

At St Monica Trust, residents with and without dementia will be working together on this project.

The project involves gardening sessions at our retirement villages, fundraising and raising awareness for dementia, and researching the link between dementia and reminiscence through sensory activities. It also includes workshops for naming, branding, and marketing the beer, as well as visits to local breweries to learn about the brewing process and choose a brewing partner.

• Alive Activities
• St Monica Trust – Centre of Innovation
• University of Bristol – Brigstow Institute (Evaluation partner)
• Local breweries: Wiper & True, Moor Brewing, Left Handed Giant and more

The Hoppiness Project is open to St Monica Trust residents and their families, colleagues and volunteers. No prior experience in gardening or brewing is necessary. Key areas we need support include:

• Tending to the hops
• Supporting people in wheelchairs and people with dementia to get involved
• Helping to raise funds and awareness for the project
• Helping us to brand, market and sell the beer we aim to produce

Our flourishing communities at Sandford Station and Cote Lane have recently planted 24 hop plants each. Now we need residents, colleagues and volunteers to ‘adopt a hop’ and ensure they are watered, weeded and looked after to help secure our centenary beer!

Can you help us to help the hops, support people living with dementia to get out and visit them, and do some very light gardening on your schedule?

Interested? email us at: hoppiness@stmonicatrust.org.uk to ‘adopt a hop’ and get involved.

Growing Connection: caring for a hop brings people together, one watering can at a time.

Flexible Commitment: choose weekly or monthly visits; we provide the watering cans, you provide the loving care (and water)!

SMT Centenary: celebrating 100 years of care and support, culminating with a centenary beer in October.

Dementia Friendly: activities are designed so everyone can take part safely and meaningfully.