Paternoster House has won the title of Trust in Bloom 2023 Best Overall Garden, Central Division. Forty-three care homes entered this year’s gardening competition run by OSJCT. The home also came top in the Central Division in five categories: Best Kerb Appeal, Best Hanging Baskets, Best Vegetable Garden, Best Balcony/Courtyard Garden, Best Home Garden.

Residents, team members and volunteers at the Cirencester care home came together to plan and nurture their garden ready for the competition judging. Daphne, who has volunteered for nearly 20 years at Paternoster, looks after the front garden, which looked even more beautiful this year than usual. The care home arranges for each resident to have a bespoke window box, made by volunteers Carol and Chris, who also manage the vegetable and back garden.

The care home also has a large vegetable patch and a well-designed memorial garden, supported by volunteers Chris and Carol. Residents have been involved in all aspects of the garden, from planning projects to creating mosaics and watering hanging baskets.

Hannah Forsyth, Home Manager, said: “Everyone has worked really hard to maintain our gorgeous gardens. Our residents enjoy spending time in the garden either relaxing or tending to our vegetable planters.”

Dan Hayes, OSJCT Chief Executive and Trust in Bloom Judge, said: “The small team of volunteers are a driving force at this home. The various areas of the gardens are quite different in nature and use. The scale of the vegetable garden and the amount of food it provides for the kitchen is incredible.”