With spring in bloom, elderly residents at care homes across Edinburgh are looking forward to time spent outdoors following colder months. Now, as green-fingered residents get ready for gardening activities, Scottish care home provider Renaissance Care has put out a call for donations from the local community.
In the hope of freshening up Letham Park Care Home’s garden, staff are on the hunt for the likes of gardening furniture, tools, plants and ornaments. With art supplies on hand, the care home will gladly accept donations in need of a little love or lick of paint, while the home boasts keen gardeners who are ready to get their hands dirty with seeds or bulbs.
The focus on gardening falls in line with Renaissance Care’s health and wellbeing strategy, which prioritises the emotional, mental and physical health of those in its care. Following the Winter Olympics activity which saw residents embracing the colder weather, Renaissance Care has set aside time for gardening activities in order to bring the new season in with a garden refresh.
As well as a focus on embracing the outdoors, Renaissance Care also hopes to create lasting partnerships with the nearby community which could be fostered through the shared goal of improving the local area. The staff within the home welcome any helping hands who would like to support the initiative.
Letham Park Care Home began its facelift last month, as it looked to create a fresh space to enjoy in summer, particularly with the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations upcoming. Staff hope that work carried out outdoors will benefit their indoors too, as they are following along an online webinar hosted by the Care Inspectorate and Trellis, allowing residents to grow their very own vase of flowers in their rooms.
Nicola Edwards, activities co-ordinator at Renaissance Care’s Letham Park Care Home, said: “We strive to create fun activities which will use the wisdom of our residents. With several keen gardeners within the home and warmer weather round the corner, it is the perfect time to launch our gardening projects.
“We are very lucky to be situated within such a supportive community and we are hopeful that this call will prompt some further generosity. Our garden could do with a little love and our residents have years of experience which we know will be put to good use. If you have anything to spare, please do get in touch.”
Cath Webster, who is the daughter-in-law of one of Letham Park’s residents, said: “‘A working group of residents and volunteers are currently creating features of the sensory garden which is being developed.
“We have recycled old Wellies and painted them. The plan is to fill the wellies with herbs to stimulate our senses of taste and smell, as well as bright flowers to delight our sense of sight. Other ideas and developments are currently being discussed.”
To offer donations to Letham Park Care Home, contact: mfyfie@renaissance-care.co.uk