Care home residents use their green fingers to compete for best garden

Care homes across the country marked National Gardening Week last week by encouraging residents to work together to spruce up their outdoor space.

Article Source: Issued by BIG Partnership on behalf of Renaissance Care
Last Updated: 4 May 2021 11:08

Renaissance Care Group organised a gardening competition between its 15 care homes, tasking residents, staff and relatives alike with transforming an area of the home’s garden or entrance way into something bright and cheerful.

With warmer months on the horizon, Renaissance Care initiated the competition to celebrate the enormous benefits which nature and the great outdoors can bring to health and wellbeing. It is hoped that residents and their families will be able to enjoy the fruits of the participant’s labour as restrictions are gradually eased and guests are welcomed back.

Green fingered staff, residents, and their families, battled it out to be crowned ‘best transformation’, ‘greatest resident engagement’, ‘greatest community engagement’ and ‘greatest resident inclusion and creativity’, with Beech Manor, Meadowlark, Whitecraigs and Jesmond being named the winners this weekend.

Beech Manor in Blairgowrie revitalised their entrance with the addition of a donated bench in tribute to a former resident, while local children who used to visit from a nearby primary school painted stones to add a pop of colour. Staff made sure to include residents with all interests and skills by arranging painting sessions of owl ornaments while others helped arrange plants outside.

Meadowlark, based in Forres, created a mini croft where residents are growing root vegetables to be used for a warming soup later this year, while Jesmond Care Home fashioned a seating area where the wildlife can be seen enjoying newly added bird feeders. Whitecraigs, winning ‘greatest community engagement’, called for the local community to join them in decorating their entrance area, with local school children joining to create a fairy garden for all visitors to enjoy.

Other entries included Edinburgh based Mathieson House, which had keen horticulturalists potting plants and planting seeds to enjoy later in the year, with plans for a competition between residents for the tallest sunflower, while Glasgow’s Rosepark Care Home beautified their balcony area with blossoming flowers.

While current restrictions continue to limit visitors and community activities, Renaissance Care’s competition has seen creativity and resident participation bloom in its homes.

Many of the residents have been teaching the staff and relatives a thing or two about keeping their gardens in tip-top shape. Aberdeen care home resident, Elsie Connell, aged 86, offered tips and tricks to help other budding gardeners get started.

Elsie said: “I have always loved gardening, so I was very excited to get my hands dirty with this competition. I would recommend regular weeding to keep your garden nice and tidy. When watering plants, make sure to aim for the soil rather than the leaves and flowers, as this can damage them when the sun hits. Finally, it’s important to always use good quality soil, with stones or rocks at the bottom of the pot to help with drainage.”

Kirstene Feenan, Marketing and Communications Manager, said: “At Renaissance Care, we always work hard to come up with creative activities that our residents will enjoy and benefit from. Each of the care homes have had great fun entering the competition, as well as learning and sharing new skills - the gardens have never looked more loved.

“We wanted to create the opportunity to reconnect with loved ones so we are so pleased to see this competition has enabled friends and family to enjoy some quality time with residents. Those who did not take part in the gardening have commented on how nice it has been to see happy people around the home once more.”

Image: Elsie Connell proudly shows off her hard work at Jesmond Care Home.

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Edinburgh News

Edinburgh school kids team up with Kabin Crew to create a new rap song in Irish and Scottish Gaelic

Young musicians from Edinburgh and Cork are breaking new grounds with a unique hybrid international hip-hop collaboration led by Cork’s Kabin Crew.

Capitals Bartenders Cast Their Vote As Edinburgh Bar Awards Reveal Finalists

Edinburgh’s top bartenders have had their say, as the Edinburgh Bar Awards today (Thursday, 11th September) reveal the 2025 finalists across 11 categories.

Take to the skies with Daredevil Photographer Alfred Buckham at the National Galleries of Scotland

This autumn at the Portrait gallery in Edinburgh, take to the skies and see the world from above the clouds through the remarkable work of Alfred Buckham: Daredevil Photographer.

Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition

Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition on the big screen in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Inverness from 1st to 19th October 2025.

Scottish International Storytelling Festival Programme Announced

With support from the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund and Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival launched its 36th festival programme.

Mindroom Fundraising Heroes Drive Charity Support Forward

Mindroom is celebrating a series of extraordinary fundraising activities, led by charity co-founder 81-year-old Robin Dow, living with stage 4 cancer, as his 25-mile walk raised a huge £70,000.

Fresh deals for freshers

Calling all students in Edinburgh! Britain’s biggest craft brewer, BrewDog, has announced some fresh new deals for freshers and returning students to toast the new academic year.

Carol Main MBE FRC appointed Chair of National Centre for Music

The development of a new National Centre for Music has reached another key milestone, with the appointment of Carol Main MBE FRC as Chair.

Eat Spain Drink Spain returns for a Culinary Fiesta across Edinburgh

Get ready to embark on a culinary journey as the "Eat Spain Drink Spain" campaign makes its much-anticipated return to Edinburgh.

Haggis the pygmy hippo to say goodbye to Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo has announced that Haggis the pygmy hippo will be moving to another zoo as part of the breeding programme for the Endangered species.

Spooky Season Arrives at Dynamic Earth this October

This October, Edinburgh’s Science Centre and Planetarium, Dynamic Earth invites visitors of all ages to step into the shadows and uncover the science behind the spookiest stories ever told.

Cineworld 4DX Rewind returns for 2025

Cineworld is excited to announce the return of 4DX Rewind this September across Cineworld 4DX cinemas nationwide!

Edinburgh bridal expert shares her top trend prediction for Taylor Swift wedding

Now is the time to shop for that perfect dress, as Rachel Scott Couture has announced it will be hosting a one-off, three-week long sample sale at its Queensferry Street boutique.

Marcos unveils first of its kind interactive karaoke room

Whatever kind of music you’re into, the brand-new interactive karaoke room at Marco's is the place for uninhibited singing, selfies and self-expression.

Final countdown to the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run 2025 is on

Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow next month, and there’s still time to secure your place.

Divino Enoteca launches September tasting menu and free wine tastings

This September, Edinburgh’s Italian wine bar Divino Enoteca, is offering plenty for food and wine lovers to explore.

September offers for Freshers Week at Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh

Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh is giving students an extra reason to head out this semester with 20% off food, non-alcoholic drinks and merchandise when they show a valid student ID.

Marstons and Tom Shepherd join forces once more to serve up the best ever pub pie

Marston's and Michelin-starred chef Tom Shepherd have teamed up once more to serve up The Best Ever Pub Pie to locals across the country.

Edinburgh Fringe smash hit Oran embarks on first UK tour

Òran, the award-winning sell-out hit of the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe embarks on its first ever UK tour this autumn as company Wonder Fools take their work to a host of venues across Scotland.

Dynamic Earth partners with Scottish Water to deliver Water Cycle Workshops

Dynamic Earth is to join Science Centres across Scotland to deliver Water Cycle Workshops as part of Scottish Water's Generation H2O education programme.

Edinburgh Cocktail Week 2025 programme announced

The Edinburgh Cocktail Week programme for 2025 has been announced, reaffirming its status as the UK’s leading cocktail festival.

Iconic films to take centre stage at Vue venues in Scotland

Iconic movies celebrating key milestones this year are returning to Vue for a limited run - including Steven Spielberg classic Jaws.

20 expert sessions at The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show

The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show will be packed with expert speakers when it returns to the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston on 4th – 5th October 2025.

A Taste of Loch Lomond Book launches with live cooking demo at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival

Love Loch Lomond will officially launch its new publication, A Taste of Loch Lomond – Stories and Flavours from the Bonnie Banks, at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival on Sunday 7th September.

DF Concerts Celebrate Biggest Summer in Edinburgh

DF Concerts is celebrating a record-breaking month after selling more than 356,000 tickets in Edinburgh during August 2025.

Forever Edinburgh launches winter phase of Stay Different campaign

Forever Edinburgh has launched the winter phase of its ‘Stay Different’ campaign, inviting visitors to discover an entirely different side of the city during the colder months.

Seriously fun ideas for your work Christmas Party

It might only be September, but the C-word is not too far away, so it's time to start thinking about planning the annual office Christmas shindig before everything gets booked up!

Collective Gala returns this weekend

Collective is delighted to announce the return of the Collective Gala, offering a free and vibrant celebration of art, music, food and tours across Calton Hill this Sunday.

GRAHAM brings female focused ConstructHER programme to Edinburgh

Following the success of its flagship female apprenticeship scheme in Glasgow, leading construction company GRAHAM is launching its ConstructHER programme in Edinburgh this autumn.

Business Gateway launches its first ever Scottish Start Up Month

Business Gateway, Scotland's national business support service, has launched Scottish Start-Up Month, a nationwide campaign to celebrate Scotland's entrepreneurial spirit.

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall

Care home residents use their green fingers to compete for best garden

Care homes across the country marked National Gardening Week last week by encouraging residents to work together to spruce up their outdoor space.

Sponsored Links

Latest Edinburgh News

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Popular Listings