GLEBEFIELDS CARE CENTRE

July 2010
Space 2 Grow has recently introduced therapeutic horticulture to Glebefields Care Centre. Taking advantage of existing raised beds, a fabulous rural location and fine weather, the new group has enjoyed numerous outdoor sessions. Working collaboratively in small groups or individually, the residents continue to enjoy the gentle exercise, social interaction and fresh air that the sessions bring. Friends and relatives join in too adding another dimension to the friendly sessions.

As with groups elsewhere, the reconnection with horticulture is very important to this group of people and recognized by them as a meaningful activity.

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FREELAND HOUSE NURSING AND RESIDENTIAL HOME

January 2010 onwards

Specially designed raised beds built on site at the beginning of the year have proved to be a great asset for the weekly gardening group. Using the wheelchair as a reference, Jennifer developed the design of the beds to suit the gardeners’ needs. The entire group either gardens from seats or from wheelchairs and the easily accessible, lightweight beds have extended their gardening experiences.

Therapeutic horticulture sessions are delivered all year round and participants have taken ownership of their own “mini allotments” with great enthusiasm and pride. Some have grown seasonal flowers, others vegetables and some a mix of both. The potato harvest was particularly successful this year and the Blue Danube blue skinned variety was the source of much amusement and delight. Carefully selected plant material has ensured a very long flowering and gardening period in the raised beds from spring bulbs to autumn vegetables.

There was much excitement and pleasure arising from the craft and flower displays created by the gardening group for the recent August “Regency Day” at Freeland House. A very special day.

Reminiscence work continues to add value to the sessions, often resulting in humorous gardening recollections shared with the group.

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WANTAGE DAY CENTRE GARDEN REJUVENATION PROJECT

April 2010
During April 2010 as part of an initiative introduced by Space 2 Grow, participants at Wantage Day Centre cleared derelict raised beds, sowed seeds and planted them out in anticipation of summer crops of flowers, herbs and vegetables. The chef on site at the Day Centre was very keen to use any culinary herbs and vegetables as they became available and the participants were keen to sow, grow and eat their produce.

Many of the group had recently downsized their homes and lost their garden spaces. All agreed that the opportunity to re-connect with horticulture and to work outside in the fresh air in small groups was very beneficial.

“Gardeners revive vandalised plot”

Wantage Herald

Tuesday 20th April 2010

Gardeners are reaping what they have sown after bringing back to life a vandalised bit of scrubland.

About a dozen members of Wantage Day Centre, in Garston Lane, have transformed a dilapidated patch of land at the site into an attractive space brimming with herbs, flowers and vegetables.

The gardeners used trowels and forks, some specially adapted for use for elderly people, to plant fennel, parsley, beans, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, chives, courgettes, sweet corn, thyme, mint, pansies, marigolds and sweet peas.

Jennifer Cawood principal of Space 2 Grow, who led the project, said the plot was ideal because the raised beds are at waist height – meaning there is no need to bend over to ground level.

She said: “I think the lovely thing about this has been watching the older people rediscover horticulture. It’s nice when you hear them talk about the feel of the soil between their fingers and reminiscences about past gardening experiences.”

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SOWING & GROWING AT GREEN PASTURES

June 2010

A group of residents at Green Pastures Christian Nursing Home have sown flower and vegetable seeds, nurtured them and planted them outdoors in containers, raised beds and garden areas.

Most reflected on their past gardens and gardening experiences prior to relocating to the nursing home and all showed their real delight in being able to garden once again. One gentleman brought me his photograph album of his very beautiful and extensive garden that was his pride and joy and great gardening expertise. Using particular techniques and methods of working, horticultural activities were successfully reintroduced to the group through a carefully prepared programme of therapeutic horticulture. 

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HEATHFIELD HOUSE THERAPEUTIC GARDEN PLANS

31 August 2010

Weekly therapeutic horticulture sessions continue to deliver meaningful activities all year round, inside and outside at Heathfield House Nursing Home. Potatoes, beans, onions, garlic and courgettes have been grown, harvested and eaten and bountiful flowers have added beauty and scent to the patio garden.

Plans prepared by Jennifer Cawood of Space 2 Grow are afoot to extend the patio garden area and to provide a garden loop circuit. This is so important for safe navigation around garden spaces used by older people, particularly for those suffering from forms of dementia.

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