The finishing touches to the garden at HC-One’s
Rose Court care home, in Radcliffe, Manchester, have completed, after Colleagues’ tremendous fundraising efforts to revamp the outdoor space succeeded. Now Residents can absorb the beautiful outdoor surroundings whilst sitting in the garden this summer.
This spring, Colleagues at the 87-bed residential, nursing and dementia care home took part in a sponsored walk including Lizzy who raised £145 just herself when she braved a difficult trek in typical British rain weather. There has also been an organised tombola, cake sale, name the teddy and raffle too, which totalled £562.90. Coupled with generous donations from Relatives, Colleagues and friends, a grand total of £3246.65 was raised for the garden makeover.
On 15th May 2023, the work was started to revamp the garden. Volunteers from BT Care Home Companions in Accrington, which is part of British Telecoms’ initiative to tackle loneliness in care homes through a national roll-out scheme, and Colleagues and Relatives all worked together to create a serene, enjoyable, and picturesque environment which could be used by all Residents and their loved ones, all year round.
Twelve tons of soil and grass were dug away and, after advertising on a local community page, was taken away for free! Then with the help of local Landscape Gardener, Gareth Hill, levelled off and replaced with some artificial turf, which means easy maintenance and versatile use.
The work has also resulted in a bigger area for bird feeders, which many Residents love to peer out and watch. There is also a solo area for a swinging seat which is used every day. Some of the Residents at have even helped with a spot of painting, on the fences and benches.
The home’s iconic tree has now been replanted at the local St Mary’s School, which the home has some fantastic intergenerational relationships with. And activities between the two regularly take place, including pupils visiting Residents.
The local nursery, Giants Seat Garden Centre, also offered a tremendous discount on flowers for the project, and Residents enjoyed picking the plants and potting them, ready for the garden completion. The home’s wellbeing team, including Coordinators Allison Porter and Lucy Ling, organised a plant potting activity session with Residents, many of whom have very much been heavily involved in the design and planning of the garden, meaning their personal preferences and tastes are taken into account.
The seating area is more in the sun now, allowing for more extended outdoor visiting, which also makes it easier for bigger groups to sit together and mingle. The large space is much better equipped for the specialised wheelchairs at the home too and the colour of the potting plants makes the area so much brighter.
Rose Court has already held a karaoke and drinks afternoon, a Pimm’s afternoon, cheese and wine party and a bingo afternoon since it’s been finished. The garden is certainly getting well used.
One of the great parts of this project, is that it has brought a whole community together. The fundraising and togetherness of the local Radcliffe community has made such a huge difference to Rose Court.
Allison Porter, Wellbeing Coordinator at Rose Court, commented,
“The support that is being shown by family members has been amazing, and the commitment from Colleagues and volunteers is just fabulous. This generous donation has touched our hearts, and I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone for the support.”
“It was hard work and worth every penny raised. I would like to thank everyone who donated and made this happen. The kindness from the whole community and helpers. The donations from everyone were amazing.”
Leanne Batten-Smith, Home Manager at HC-One’s Rose Court, added:
“We began fundraising for this in April, and we were overwhelmed with the donations.”
“The work started on 30th May, and we have been enjoying the garden ever since.”
“Thank you to everyone for your hard work during this time, as we had the sun to cope with too!”