Search for a retirement home Help and advice Careers Green-fingered residents recognised with regional award The residents of Westfield House in Loughborough are celebrating receiving an award from the Royal Horticultural Society and East Midland in Bloom. www.abbeyfield.com Blog Current: Green-fingered residents recognised with regional award Westfield House are winners of a top regional gardening award The care home, which is managed by the Abbeyfield Loughborough Society, provides dementia-friendly accommodation and care for up to 31 older people. The residents benefit from facilities specially designed to benefit people living with dementia, including a sensory garden. The ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ Award is one of several presented every year to projects that put an emphasis on community participation, environmental responsibility and gardening achievement. The nominees are judged by experts from Britain in Bloom, who also provide valuable feedback on how to grow and improve each project. Westfield House’s Award describes the garden as ‘Thriving’, the second-highest level of award offered by the organisation. Member of staff Rebecca Hearn said, “Our maintenance team and residents have enjoyed maintaining our garden, from colourful hanging basket displays to mixed shrub and flower borders. The residents have enjoyed raising plants from seeds including sunflowers and peppers, and looking after our bird boxes by replenishing them with delicious homemade birdfeeders, attracting the attention of blue tits and wrens. "Residents enjoy sitting and relaxing in our garden when the weather permits it and enjoy any activities involving gardening.” One resident said that they especially enjoyed the process of weeding, as it ensures that “everywhere looks tidy”, while another added, "It reminds me of my parents, as they enjoyed gardening." The project also demonstrates a focus on recycling and repurposing. Rebecca explains, “A number of shrubs were saved from our Ashby Road site, which has now been demolished to allow for a new complex which will link to Westfield House, and these were re-planted in our Westfield House garden.” Enjoyed this story? Read more from across Abbeyfield below. The Health and Well-Being Benefits of Gardening From helping to reduce stress to perhaps even being the secret to a longer life, we take a look at some of the many health and well-being benefits of gardening. Read about the benefits Top gardening tips from green-fingered experts Warm weather means one thing, it's time to get your gardening gloves on! In this blog we share some top tips from green fingered experts. Get some tips now LawnStarter: The Basics of Vertical Gardening Vertical gardening is a great way to keep the garden looking tidy, whilst protecting your back and other muscles that may be strained during a usual garden tidy. Find out about vertical gardening Back to blog Did you know we're a charity? Support us and help enrich the lives of older people. Donate About Abbeyfield About us Our new developments Careers Contact us Our environmental aims Housing options Independent Living Supported Housing Residential Care Homes Dementia Friendly Care Homes Care at Home Nursing Homes Helpful advice What type of care do I need? The right time to move FAQs Community Volunteering Fundraising Research Blog go Accessibility Cookie policy Privacy statement Modern slavery statement Complaints process Sitemap Registered in England and Wales, Company 574816, Charity 200719, RSH H1046 Coronavirus Information Cookies on this website Abbeyfield uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. For more details about cookies and how to manage them, see our cookie policy. Accept