Growing connections this National Garden Week

National Garden Week provides the perfect moment to embrace the outdoors and introduce enriching activities that inspire connection, creativity, and wellbeing within a care home environment. At Newbury Manor, this year’s celebrations have been made even more impactful thanks to the generous support of Dobbies Garden Centres, whose donation of key resources has helped bring an exciting new gardening initiative to life.

With Dobbies’ contribution, including raised beds that make gardening more accessible, the home has launched a brand-new gardening club designed to bring residents together through hands-on, meaningful experiences. Gardening, with its gentle pace and sensory benefits, continues to be a powerful way to support both physical health and emotional wellbeing, offering residents the opportunity to engage with nature in a way that feels both purposeful and enjoyable.

The club encourages residents to take part in every stage of the process, from planting and nurturing to harvesting and sharing the results, helping to build a strong sense of achievement and community within the home.

As Carol Smith, activities coordinator, explains, the initiative includes a wide range of engaging ideas, from hanging baskets to a sunflower growing competition, alongside sensory planting that focuses on “smells and textures, hopefully colours as well.” This inclusive approach ensures that residents of all abilities can take part and enjoy the experience in a way that suits them best.

With a background in floristry, Carol brings both creativity and expertise to the project, helping to shape a garden that is not only visually appealing but also practical. Plans include growing fruit from small trees, which could later be used in other activities, adding an extra layer of purpose and involvement for residents.

Accessibility has been carefully considered throughout, with raised beds positioned at waist height to ensure everyone can participate comfortably, creating a truly inclusive space where no one feels left out. A gardening diary will also allow residents to track progress, reflect on their work, and stay connected to the garden’s ongoing development.

Support from the local community has also played an important role in enriching life at Newbury Manor. Metsec, a cable manufacturer based in Oldbury, kindly donated Easter eggs for residents, a gesture that was warmly received and greatly appreciated. Contributions like this, alongside support from partners such as Dobbies, make a meaningful difference, particularly within a self-funding activities programme, helping to create moments of joy and sustain engaging experiences for residents.

Kam Kaur, home manager, says: "National Garden Week highlights how initiatives like this go far beyond planting, offering residents the chance to learn new skills, revisit past interests, and enjoy a sense of routine and responsibility, all while spending time outdoors in a space that continues to grow and evolve with their care and enthusiasm."

With strong community backing and a clear sense of excitement among residents, the garden at Newbury Manor is set to become a lively and inspiring space, demonstrating how collaboration and creativity can come together to create something truly special.