Lilian Faithfull Care’s staff and those they care for, have really enjoyed creating their ‘Garden In Bloom’ masterpieces harmoniously together, outside in their beautiful surroundings. Their ‘Garden in Bloom’ competition has brought together staff in all roles; Carers, Activity Co-ordinators, Domestic, Catering, Maintenance and Management, from across their five care homes and two adult day care hubs in Cheltenham and Stroud.
Lilian Faithfull Care’s ‘Garden in Bloom’ competition is being judged by local award winning garden designer, Martyn Wilson, on Thursday 12 August. The award categories up for grabs are; most creative garden, best teamwork, most resourceful, best home grown veg, community engagement, conservation & wildlife and an overall winner!
The competition is to design and create a patch in their garden using everyone’s talents, skills and teamwork. The project is encouraging innovation and different elements of conservation; including wonderful plants, creative upcycling, and encouraging more birds, bees and butterflies into their beautiful gardens. It also includes an edible element, with suggestions from their catering teams of vegetables and herbs to grow for future menus. Some are being very competitive with trying to grow the largest vegetables.
As the care sector steers its way out of what has been surreal times during Covid-19, this garden project gives their staff and those they care for, the chance to have some fun together in their lovely green spaces. Gardening has many proven benefits including improved mental well-being, increased physical activity and a great way to bring people together.
Lilian Faithfull Care is a Charity and has provided care, support and a ‘home for life’ promise to the elderly in Gloucestershire for 75 years. They offer day care, respite, residential and nursing care, with specialist knowledge of dementia care and end of life care. Their care homes and day hubs include; Royal Court, Faithfull House, Astell House, St Faith’s and Secret Garden Hub in Cheltenham, and Resthaven and Uplands Hub in Stroud.
The judges are local award winning garden designer Martyn Wilson, of Wilson Garden Design and Lilian Faithfull Care’s new Care Quality Manager, Rita Harris who inspired and introduced the project.
Lilian Faithfull Care are very excited to have Martyn as the judge. Martyn has designed several award winning show gardens including coveted Royal Horticultural Society Gold medals and has featured on BBC Gardeners’ World on BBC2.
When invited, Martyn commented, “I’m delighted to support their Charity and help with judging. The garden project sounds like a wonderful initiative. It’s brilliant to hear that residents and staff are so engaged with their gardens. Understanding and appreciation of the importance of gardens and outdoor spaces for health and wellbeing has really come to the forefront in the pandemic.”
Rita Harris commented, “There were many ways that everyone could contribute – whether indoors, helping with planning, researching and seed sowing, or outdoors with planting, watering and nurturing. Those with garden experience have taught those that have not gardened before. Those that are creative have helped design. There is a wellspring of knowledge and experience amongst our residents, day guests and staff.”
Rita continued, “Thank you so much to the local businesses and families’ of our guests and residents, that have kindly donated gardening items and their time, to help the gardens bloom.”
Each of the homes and day care hubs sit within beautiful grounds and gardens, which give a lovely safe space for residents and day guests to enjoy. The gardening clubs are one of the most popular activities in the Charity and the gardening competition has given a new focus for the ongoing interest of residents, day guests and staff alike.
You can follow their garden project story and winners results via their social media pages @Lilian Faithfull and read more about their Charity at www.lilianfaithfull.co.uk
