The efforts of green-fingered staff at a Leyland care home have borne some extra special fruit after they scooped an award in the council’s annual horticulture competition.Broadfield House in Leyland has been named winners in the ‘Business’ category in this year’s South Ribble in Bloom, which is held every year by South Ribble Council. The Lancashire County Council care home pipped second place N&K Harvey Funerals in Leyland and Royal British Legion Middleforth in Penwortham, which finished third.
Together as an alfresco activity with the residents, staff at Broadfield House are growing their own edible in their market garden, including broccoli, sprouts, swiss chard and tomatoes. Staff have also created a sensory garden with a variety of herbs, which stir up old memories with residents. Scrumptious strawberries are being cultivated in raised flower beds, with everybody having the opportunity to water the plants while seated in the great outdoors.
The project is being nurtured by Helen O’Connor, the activity co-ordinator at Broadfield House along with colleagues Jane Van-Grunsven and Vicky Coxhead. Vicky, who has been a carer at Broadfield House for more than two decades, works tirelessly in her spare time to create stunning floral hanging baskets, which “bring great joy” to residents. Helen said: “Vicky, who has been a care assistant at the home for over 20 years, is a keen gardener – and has green fingers.
“This can be seen in the hard work she puts into the amazing hanging baskets. Vicky makes them in her own time and are on display at the front and back of the home. “The different flowers, colours and scents bring great joy to the people living at Broadfield House.”
Lancashire County Councillor Graham Gooch, cabinet member for adult services, has congratulated staff for their accolade. Cllr Gooch said: “Once again, this is another example of staff in our care homes going the extra mile to bring joy to their residents.
“It’s fantastic that Broadfield House and its green-fingered staff have been recognised – and I can’t wait to see what else staff have in store in the future. “Congratulations to everyone who has contributed to this wonderful project.”
Cllr Aniela Bylinski Gelder, cabinet member for communities, social justice and wealth building at South Ribble Borough Council, thanked all of this year’s entrants for helping ” brighten up our borough”. Cllr Gelder said: “Congratulations to Broadfield House and all the other winners of this year’s South Ribble In Bloom competition. “We received so many wonderful entries and I know the judging panel had such a tough time deciding which ones were the best – so to come out on top is a real achievement. Well done!