Residents and colleagues at HC-One’s Kirkwood Court Care Home in Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, have been busy nurturing their green spaces in a bid to win this year’s HC-One Gardens in Bloom competition. This cherished annual event celebrates the joy and therapeutic benefits of gardening while strengthening community bonds and promoting sustainable living across HC-One’s care homes.
Over the spring and summer months, the team at Kirkwood Court transformed their outdoor space into ‘Peaceful Paradise’, a vibrant, dementia-friendly haven filled with bright blooms, fragrant herbs, wildlife-friendly features, and vegetable patches bursting with life. The result is a welcoming, multi-sensory environment designed to support residents’ wellbeing while also encouraging community engagement.
One of the core values of the Gardens in Bloom initiative is to bring communities together, and Kirkwood Court truly embraced this. Residents were joined by family members, local volunteers, and students from Gateshead College, who all contributed their time and skills. From planting flowers and vegetables to building raised beds and birdhouses, every corner of the garden tells a story of teamwork and generosity.
A resident’s son and daughter-in-law donated wooden barrel beds, filling them with soil ready for planting, while another resident’s son built a large, raised bed from timber kindly donated by Wickes. Flowers from Cowell’s Garden Centre added extra colour, and Pacifica provided eco-friendly pencils containing herb seeds, now growing into fresh seasonings for the home’s kitchen.
Sensory and dementia-friendly design played a big role in the transformation. Fragrant lavender, rosemary, and other textured plants stimulate memories and encourage tactile interaction. Plant labels help residents and visitors identify different species, while gentle water features evoke seaside memories and conversations about swimming and family holidays. Brightly coloured blooms bring cheer and attract pollinators, while a wildflower patch and bug hotel help support local biodiversity.
The garden has also sparked some friendly competition among residents, with tomato-growing and hanging basket contests adding extra fun to the season. Harvests of onions, potatoes, parsley, beetroot, and chives have already made their way into home-cooked meals, including soups, sandwiches, and chips.
Sustainability is central to Peaceful Paradise, the name given to HC-One’s Kirkwood Court’s Garden. The home collects rainwater via water butts, uses peat-free compost, and sources pollinator-friendly plants. Weekly gardening club sessions ensure the space remains flourishing, with residents tending to their own patches and enjoying the changes each season brings.
Lauren Proctor, Wellbeing Coordinator at HC-One’s Kirkwood Court Care Home, shared:
“Residents, colleagues, and the local community really enjoyed transforming our garden for this year’s Gardens in Bloom competition. It’s brought so much joy, connection, and pride. Our garden isn’t just about flowers, it’s a living space filled with memories, laughter, and the shared efforts of so many people. Seeing residents relax, reminisce, and take part in competitions has been wonderful, and we’re excited to watch Peaceful Paradise grow for years to come.”
As part of the national competition, HC-One selected five regional winners from across England, Scotland, and Wales, based on creativity, community engagement, and sustainable gardening practices. Regional finalists received a plaque and gardening hamper, while the overall winner, chosen by HC-One Chief Executive Officer James Tugendhat, received a trophy, plaque, gardening hamper, and a £300 gift voucher sponsored by Real Trade Supplies.
Whether it’s the soothing sound of water, the scent of lavender on the breeze, or the taste of freshly harvested vegetables, Kirkwood Court’s garden is filling both hearts and bellies, a true celebration of what can be achieved when care, creativity, and community come together.