Edwardstow Court care home, in Stow on the Wold, has won the Trust in Bloom 2024 Award for Best Overall Garden in OSJCT’s annual competition. This achievement reflects all the hard work and dedication from team members, volunteers and supporters in the community that went into transforming the home’s gardens into vibrant and therapeutic spaces for residents and visitors.

Edwardstow Court, located in the heart of the Cotswolds, competed with 54 OSJCT care homes to win this title. Edwardstow Court will receive £250 garden vouchers, donated by SpaGas and a garden bench (to the value of £500) donated by UK Landscapes.

The care home has also been awarded category certificates for the Best Hanging Baskets, Best Miniature Garden and Best Wildlife Garden in the Trust’s Private Collection of homes. 

Special features in Edwardstow Court’s competition entry included:

• A mobile Miniature Garden, created in a wheelbarrow, which travel to each resident’s bedroom including those with mobility issues. The Miniature Garden features cork ‘toadstools’, a miniature ‘hot-air balloon’, flowers and a small water feature.
• A unique Woodland Walk, within the grounds of the care home, which is open every day to the general public.
• Details of the Big Family Plant Off day which the home organised for residents and their families to create personalised hanging baskets for residents, each with a name tag and specially selected flowers so that each basket was individual. 

Matthew Peach, Edwardstow Court General Manager, said: "We are absolutely overjoyed with this win. Our garden project brought together residents, staff, volunteers, and the local community in a wonderful collaboration that has truly enriched our home environment."

The competition entry was co-ordinated by Marion (Maz) Woods, Activities and Wellbeing Coordinator at Edwardstow Court, who focused on the impact of the garden on residents’ wellbeing. She said: “The changes to the garden this year have been invaluable. Residents can enjoy this safe, lovely space where they can freely interact with their families. We have a regular Garden Club, and even those who stay inside can enjoy the flowers and gardening in our mobile miniature garden in a wheelbarrow.”

“We focused on creating a beautiful, engaging space for our residents and their families,” Maz continued. “Being recognised as the winner is thrilling and validates the hard work and community effort that went into this project. Our gardens now reflect the brilliance of our home, and we are immensely proud.”

Volunteer involvement

Kath Finch, one of the home’s dedicated volunteers said: “We wanted to create a garden that would be ongoing, cost-effective, and deeply involve the residents. The theme of ‘vitality’ led us to focus on bright colours and elements that make the residents feel alive. Residents created their own hanging baskets and designed the miniature garden, complete with toadstools made from corks. It was crucial to make the garden safe and attractive because it is their home.”

Community Involvement

The garden's transformation was supported by the local community and some larger organisations. In May, Network Rail and Mitie provided volunteers who worked tirelessly to prepare the Woodland Walk area. Kath said: “We also held a Big Family Plant Off day, where families joined us to create hanging baskets and work on raised beds. Community involvement, including donations and advice gardening volunteers was invaluable.”

Jill, a new volunteer, is using her extensive gardening knowledge to help the home to manage the Woodland Walk. Jill said: “The woodland area is designed to be interesting year-round. We want residents to look around and up, not just at the ground. This creates an engaging sensory experience that is especially beneficial for those with dementia.”

Anyone who would like to visit Edwardstow Court and its gardens, is welcome to drop in. For more information about the care home visit Edwardstow Court | Care Home in Stow on the Wold | OSJCT.