Kenton care home crowned ‘bonus bloom’ winners of HC-One’s Gardens in Bloom competition

The HC-One Gardens in Bloom competition is an annual event where HC-One care homes across the UK enter in the hope of winning in their respective regions. HC-One care homes had the golden opportunity of impressing guest judge, Rachel de Thame, who is a much-loved and celebrated green thumbed gardener, television presenter and writer.

Rachel thoroughly enjoyed reviewing HC-One care home’s garden project entries for the Gardens in Bloom competition and seeing residents and colleagues get creative in transforming their blossoming gardens.

Kirkwood Court were delighted when it was announced that they had won the regional award for HC-One’s Bonus Bloom garden which included the prize of a lovely gardening hamper. Kirkwood Court was delighted when it was announced that they had won the ‘bonus bloom’ award for HC-One’s Gardens in Bloom competition, judged by Rachel de Thame.

Gardening is actively promoted amongst HC-One care homes as it has a number of wellbeing benefits including providing an opportunity to boost relationships with the local community.

Gardening is also therapeutic, and time spent outdoors can significantly improve the mental and physical health of residents. This year there were no set categories, which allowed homes to be creative with their garden, including creating a new fruit or vegetable patch, flower beds/boxes and wildflower gardens. Other ideas included creating dementia and sensory gardens or supporting local wildlife by creating bug hotels to attract and shelter insects.

The home worked tirelessly to create such a beautiful garden from potting plants, creating a green house full of tasty herbs and creating a memorial area with a yellow rose bush in memory of a colleague who sadly passed away in March.

Five regional winners were announced across England, Scotland and Wales receiving a hamper of garden related prizes for the homes to enjoy. A £300 voucher was also awarded to the overall winner from one of HC-One’s suppliers, Real Trade Supplies, who supply HC-One care homes with a range of gardening and landscaping equipment, to spend on items of their choosing.

Winners provided plenty of information, giving as much detail as possible to provide Rachel with a good understanding on their garden. They were selected after meeting the judging criteria, which included a demonstrated passion and effort towards community engagement and sustainable gardening practices.

Kirkwood Court’s Deputy Home Manager, Charlotte Lambert, said:

“We are so pleased to have received this award; I would like to thank all of our residents and colleagues for the hard work they have put in to transforming the garden.”

Rachel de Thame, HC-One’s Gardens in Bloom competition guest judge, stated:

“I thoroughly enjoyed being a guest judge in this year’s HC-One Gardens in Bloom competition and it was my pleasure to review the entries submitted by HC-One care homes.

“There was such a high volume and standard of entries. Thank you to everyone who participated.”

Julian Barsi, Director at Real Trade Supplies, who kindly donated a £300 voucher for the overall winning care home of the HC-One Gardens in Bloom Competition commented:

“Real Trade Supplies have been a supplier to HC-One care homes for a number of years. There is a great trading relationship between both companies, so we are delighted to have had the opportunity to support such a great event for the HC-One Gardens in Bloom Competition.

“We will be supporting the competition by donating a £300 voucher to the lucky winner, to choose from our extensive product range. Congratulations to the winner!”