Harrow care home team up with pupils for gardening project

Green-fingered residents at a care home in Harrow were joined by local schoolchildren for a special gardening activity. 

Roxeth Primary School visited Care UK’s Buchanan Court, on Sudbury Hill, to create and plant colourful fairy gardens. 

The activity aimed to encourage intergenerational connections, with residents and children working side by side to add their own ideas and decorations. Once the gardens were finished, the home donated them to the school so the pupils could enjoy them back in their classroom.

Many residents at Buchanan Court are passionate about gardening and shared their expertise with the pupils throughout the afternoon. 

Resident Lynda Hatfield, an avid gardener responsible for maintaining the planted pots at Buchanan Court, said:

"The children were very friendly. I thoroughly enjoyed showing them how to repot plants and advising them on the best watering routines.”

Gay Wilsmore, another resident, added: "It was a truly enjoyable day, sharing knowledge and experience with the younger generation. I loved my garden in Bournemouth and used to maintain it daily.”

Laurentiu Iordachescu, Home Manager at Buchanan Court, said: “It was wonderful to welcome the pupils from Roxeth Primary School for our fairy garden project. There were smiles all round as they worked together to create their miniature gardens and get their hands dirty.

“Gardening is a popular activity here, so it was lovely to see residents sharing tips and stories with the children as they added all the little details. Not only is gardening a great way to stay active and engaged, but donating the finished fairy gardens back to the school made it feel even more special – a little project they can enjoy long after the visit.

“Thank you to the pupils for putting so much creativity and energy into the mini gardens, we look forward to spending more time with our green-fingered friends very soon.”

Buchanan Court provides full-time residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable its residents to lead active and fulfilling lives, the home has its very own cinema room, pub and hair and beauty salon, and there is plenty of space – both indoors and out – for relaxation and recreation.