At Dementia Adventure, we know the outdoors can be a fantastic place for connection, joy and wellbeing – especially for people living with dementia.
That’s why we’re proud to be working with Right at Home UK to launch the Big Green Picnic: a nationwide campaign inviting communities to come together for simple, inclusive picnics in gardens, parks and green spaces across the UK
Running throughout National Picnic Week and Care Home Open Week (16–22 June) and well into July, the Big Green Picnic is about more than sandwiches and sunshine. It’s about making outdoor time more accessible, more inclusive, and more meaningful for people with dementia and those who care for them.
Bringing people together in nature
The idea is simple: create a relaxed, welcoming space where people can enjoy nature, connect with others, and share a positive experience. From sensory tables and music to flower arranging and outdoor games, each picnic offers opportunities for engagement that are stimulating and fun.
Gordon Malcolm, our Dementia Training and Partnerships Lead, summed it up perfectly:
“This is about helping people have a brilliant time in a space that’s welcoming and engaging. We want to offer opportunities to socialise and enjoy the outdoors in a meaningful way.”
The campaign started with a hugely successful pilot event held in May at Meadowbrook Care Home in Bishop’s Stortford. Together with the local Right at Home team, residents and Clients enjoyed an afternoon of music, natural objects to explore, fresh food, flowers, and even a visit from a local ice cream man.
“Our test picnic in Bishop’s Stortford was a fantastic warm-up for Big Green Picnic Week. Thanks to our wonderful partners—Right At Home, Championing Social Care, Right At Home Bishop’s Stortford, and Meadowbrook Care Home—the day was a great success. It reaffirmed that simple outdoor experiences, delivered through strong partnerships, can make a big difference for people living with dementia. We're excited to see many more picnics bringing joy to families and communities across the UK this week.”
With a toolkit, event guides and co-branded materials provided by Dementia Adventure and Right at Home, the Big Green Picnic is now being rolled out by local offices across the country – each one creating its own version of the picnic, based on the needs and interests of their local community.
We’re particularly excited to see how these events spark ongoing partnerships between care providers, volunteers, businesses and local families – opening up new ways for people with dementia to enjoy the outdoors.
Kate Dilworth, Head of Network Development at Right at Home UK, shared:
“The Big Green Picnic isn’t about big budgets or elaborate planning – it’s about bringing people together and reminding us all of the emotional and social value of simply spending time in nature. Our partnership with Dementia Adventure is already making a real difference, and we’re just getting started.”
Get involved
The Big Green Picnic is a fantastic example of how community collaboration can help people living with dementia feel seen, included and supported – all while enjoying the proven wellbeing benefits of nature.
If you’d like to run your own Big Green Picnic, partner with us, or simply learn more about how to get involved, we’d love to hear from you.
