Green-fingered residents from Field Lodge were joined by representatives from the Princes Trust to unveil the home’s new allotment.
Field Lodge recently took over an allotment on Sallowbush Road to give gardening enthusiasts at the care home an opportunity to garden fresh produce and flowers and enjoy spending time outdoors.
The collaboration with the Princes Trust is part of an ongoing partnership to build relationships with the residents at Field Lodge and the local community with a focus on creating and supporting intergenerational relationships.
The Trust is a charitable organisation that support young people in unemployment or struggling at school. They have organised a number of events in partnership with Huntingdonshire Regional College for the residents at Field Lodge, including a bingo night and afternoon cream tea.
The allotment has raised beds, allowing older people and those in a wheelchair to garden, as well as a decking area where residents can sit and enjoy the sun. Over the coming months, the residents hope the allotment with bloom with fresh flowers and an assortment of vegetables.
Katie Wilkinson, home manager at Field Lodge, commented: “In spite of the summer showers, it was wonderful to see how far the allotment has come since we took it over. We were delighted that the Princes Trust could join us to unveil the allotment and celebrate the success of the project so far.
“The outdoors has many therapeutic benefits for older people, not least because it’s give them the opportunity to get back to nature, but it can also improve mood, concentration and relive stress. We hope the allotment will bring much joy to the residents over the coming months.”