At Healthcare Homes, we believe in the power of nature and community to uplift and enhance the lives of our residents and service users. This year’s InBloom 2024 competition brought out exceptional creativity, teamwork, and green-thumb dedication from our homes and care branches, with residents, teams, and local volunteers working together to create beautiful and vibrant garden spaces. Judged by Martin Kirkup, Director of Marketing & Sales, this year’s entries made for a truly inspiring showcase. We’re excited to announce and celebrate the winners across various categories, whose achievements have brought joy to their communities!
Winners
Best Community or Family Involvement: Kingsmead Care Home
Kingsmead took the spotlight for Best Community or Family Involvement, thanks to an outstanding community project that united residents, staff, and Nationwide volunteers. The volunteers dedicated their time and effort to transform Kingsmead’s garden into a welcoming, usable outdoor space for residents to enjoy all summer long. This award honours Kingsmead’s strong community ties and its commitment to enhancing residents’ lives through shared, collaborative projects.
Best Flower Arrangement: Tenchley Manor
Tenchley Manor wowed judges with their seaside-themed arrangement titled “Supper By The Sea,” which earned them the Best Flower Arrangement award. This stunning display featured fairy lights, shells, and starfish, echoing Tenchley’s coastal setting. Led by their manager, Kat, and supported by Sue Bellamy’s fresh blooms, the team worked together to create a visually enchanting arrangement that perfectly captured the spirit of their surroundings.
Best Vegetable Patch (Joint Winners): Oaklands House & Oaktree
Oaklands House was honoured as a Joint Winner for Best Vegetable Patch with their “Patio Pantry” entry, an accessible and inclusive vegetable garden that residents could enjoy from planting to harvesting. With a vibrant array of salads, vegetables, and herbs, the Patio Pantry has become a beloved feature, bringing residents together and encouraging sustainable gardening.
Oaktree also took home the Joint Winner title for Best Vegetable Patch. Their impressive kitchen garden boasts potatoes, onions, garlic, and a variety of herbs, filling the air with wonderful aromas. Residents enjoyed helping plant and tend the garden, which includes edible planters and a delightful mix of herbs and vegetables, attracting wildlife like ladybirds, which help keep the garden healthy.
Best Overall Display or Garden (Joint Winners): Ashley Court & Sandown Park
Ashley Court has been named a Joint Winner for Best Overall Display or Garden, creating a true “Eden” for residents. With Deputy Manager Ancy’s gardening expertise, the garden flourished with beautiful flowers and home-grown vegetables, which were harvested and shared with the kitchen to create nutritious meals. The lush garden has become a cherished space, enjoyed by residents, family, and staff alike.
Sandown Park celebrates their garden’s 10th anniversary this year, and with it, their Joint Winner title for Best Overall Display or Garden. What began as a grassy plot has been transformed into a sensory haven, with colourful murals by Activities Coordinator Italo, fitness classes, and an array of plants and stone animals that bring a touch of magic to the garden. This peaceful retreat is a favourite spot for residents and staff to relax and connect with nature.
Honourable Mentions
Haughgate House has received an honourable mention for the Best Community or Family Involvement category.
With a passion for gardening and a keen eye for beautiful arrangements, resident Russell donated flowers using his own funds and provided a detailed plan for their placement, ensuring they would “grow into each other” for a stunning display. His son joined in to help source the flowers, while Laurel actively participated in watering the area, even enlisting her son during his visits. Their collaborative effort has transformed the space from a weedy patch into a vibrant, blooming garden.
The Manor House is delighted to receive an honourable mention for the Best Flower Arrangement category, showcasing the creativity of residents Ralph, Annie, and Beryl. This summer, the residents took great joy in growing flowers from seed, cutting them, and arranging beautiful displays throughout their home. Their efforts culminated in stunning arrangements that brought vibrant colour and life to the space. The highlight of their gardening success is a sunflower patch, now a sea of cheerful blooms at The Manor House.
A word from the judge
Martin Kirkup, who had the pleasure of judging this year’s competition, shared his gratitude for everyone who participated: “I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to every home that participated in InBloom 2024. It has been a true pleasure reviewing all of your entries and selecting the winners!”
Congratulations to all the winners and participants of InBloom 2024! Every entry has contributed to creating vibrant, green spaces that enrich the lives of our residents and service users, connecting them with nature and their communities. We look forward to seeing even more creativity and dedication in next year’s competition.
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