GREEN fingered residents at a group of Malvern care homes have been getting their hands dirty as its gardening club opens for the 2025 season.
Friends of the Elderly Malvern’s Gardening Club, now in its second year, meets every month to get working on transforming its green spaces with lush greenery and fresh produce.
The group of homes involved includes Davenham, Perrins House and Bradbury Court. To get the gardening season underway, The Gardening Club wasted no time by planting some herbs and house plants.
The first plants to go in were six different types of herbs as well as Calla Lily Bulb, Mimosa Pudica, known as the Dancing Plant, and some Cat Nip in honour of the resident cats at Perrins House.
“The Gardening Club is very popular with the residents and also relatives,” said Laura Smith, the Activities Coordinator at Bradbury Court.
This year the club was made up of two groups, one group had five residents and two relatives and the second had six residents and one relative.
“A garden and gardening can help inspire older people, and also those who are living with dementia by socialising and connecting with others to create a shared experience,” added Jo Bennett, the General Manager of Friends of the Elderly Malvern.
“Taking part in our Gardening Club is a gentle, physical activity which can stimulate the senses and evoke memories, all of which can greatly improve a person’s wellbeing. Gardening also improves the residents’ mental and physical health by keeping them active. It also helps the residents who are living with dementia to relax.”
The beautiful, enclosed garden at Bradbury Court will play host to the residents’ annual Sunflower Growing Competition. The club also hopes to grow some sunflowers as well as fruit and vegetables including Tomatoes, Potatoes and Strawberries.
Last year, the club tried growing Strawberries, but caterpillars and snails feasted on them. Organisers say they have learnt from their mistakes and hope to enjoy some homegrown strawberries this year.
Di Staite, who has been a resident at Bradbury Court since July 2021 and her Husband, Robin love being part of The Gardening Club.
“Di was always in our garden, pottering, planting and pruning,” said Robin. “Now Di lives at Friends of the Elderly Malvern, our flower garden doesn’t look anywhere near as lovely.”
“I’ll have to pinch a few tricks of the trade from The Gardening Club to try out at home.”
