Residents at Rose Lodge Care Home have been flexing their green-fingers while celebrating the inclusive nature of gardening and the benefits that it has on our health and happiness.
In honour of the National allotment week on 8th – 14th August, the ladies and gentleman living at Rose Lodge care home have been getting their hands dirty as they enjoyed taking part in the Community Garden and Lunch Club, first launched by the Pioneering Care Centre in October of last year.
Attendees have enjoyed spending time in the communal gardens and taking part in the lunch club which features varied gardening-related activities, such as making and sampling smoothies made from home-grown fruits.
It was the perfect way to celebrate The National Allotment Society’s ‘National Allotment Week’, with this year’s theme of “Growing Together “. The aim of the week was to draw attention to the inclusive nature of allotment gardening, appealing to all sections of society from the unemployed to the professional, all races and religions and all levels of ability.
Allotments may offer individuals the opportunity to manage a plot of their own and grow their own food but they also host projects that range across many areas. e.g. adapted plots for people with disabilities, educational visits from schoolchildren, therapeutic growing opportunities for the bereaved, refugees, those with mental health issues  and gardening on prescription.
Research has shown that therapeutic qualities of gardening have a positive impact on the health of care home residents in a number of ways, including encouraging gentle exercise, stimulating appetite, increasing vitamin D levels, improving mood and relieving stress.
Activities coordinator Diane Tweddle, Said: “For many of our residents, gardening has been a life-long hobby and we like to encourage and assist people in continuing to pursue their interests and hobbies when they come to live with us.”
“We have thoroughly enjoyed participating in the PCP’s Community garden and lunch club, it’s a fantastic community project and has been very rewarding for our residents. We always look forward to our visits.”
To find out more about how to get involved in the club, please contact the Pioneering Care Centre.
Address: Pioneering Care Centre, Carer’s Way, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 4SF
Tel: 01325 321234  Email: enquiries@pcp.uk.net