Cathkin House residents get a green-fingered boost!

Home news

Aug 28, 2012

Residents at Cathkin House are enjoying putting their green fingers to work thanks to some new additions to their garden.

Refurbishment work is taking place at the nearby Sainsbury’s East Kilbride store and the home was approached by Barr, the main contractors on the project, to offer a helping hand with some outdoor improvements.

The garden now features two new flower planters designed especially with the needs of older people in mind. At 1m high, these flower beds on stilts are at a suitable height for residents to work on without the need for bending.

Barr Construction’s team and volunteers from Sainsbury’s spent a day at Cathkin House revamping the outdoor space by clearing out weeds, strimming edges, cutting the lawns and filling the bespoke planters.

A gift of garden equipment, including gloves, trowels and a watering can, also mean residents can take care of the flower beds and enjoy a spot of gardening in the summer sun.

Catherine Brannan, manager at Cathkin House, which is run by Care UK, said: “I’m a nurse by trade and know about the physical and mental health benefits of spending time outdoors in green spaces.

“It’s been a lovely boost to have Sainsbury’s and Barr volunteer their time and materials to improve our outdoor surroundings. The planters are just great and I know some of the ladies and gents will enjoy the chance to be actively involved in the upkeep of the flower patches.”

Grant Stride, trainee planner at Barr Construction, said: “Cathkin House has a lovely garden here, but it just needed a little TLC to bring it up to scratch so the residents could make the most of it.

 “The difference is incredible and the planters are perfect for allowing the older people living here to stay involved in the upkeep of the flowerbeds.”