Photo above: l-r Chris Weeden, Maintel Account Manager; Caroline Mkai, Activities Co-ordinator; Sarah Mkai, Volunteer; Becky, Care Leader; William Wilson, Maintel Testing Manager.

Edwardstow Court care home has been awarded Best Overall Garden – Private Collection, in OSJCT’s annual gardening competition. This achievement reflects all the hard work and dedication, by team members, volunteers and supporters in the community, which went into transforming the home’s gardens into vibrant and therapeutic spaces for residents and visitors throughout the year.

Edwardstow Court joined 51 OSJCT homes in the competition. As the Private Collection home winner, they have received £125 gardening vouchers from competition sponsor Maintel. 

“This award is a pat on the back for all the volunteers and residents who’ve put in the time and effort,” said Matthew Peach, Home Manager. “Thank you to everyone who has been involved in developing planting spaces in our gardens.”

New features for 2025 include:

• Raised vegetable beds designed for wheelchair users.
• Extensive kitchen garden with produce used in the home’s gardens.
• Herb filled wheelbarrow miniature garden 

Gardens at Edwardstow have several distinct areas, which create a sensory journey for residents and visitors alike. From vibrant flower beds, individual hanging baskets, fun garden creations including Sir Gallapot, and the care home’s woodland walk, each section offers something unique. 

Edwardstow Court has a growing group of gardening volunteers, who spend many hours at the care home nurturing green space. Kath Finch has volunteered at the home for over six years,and has organised corporate volunteering days. She has been joined by Jill who has a wealth of plant and vegetable knowledge and has been instrumental in developing the kitchen garden. During hot weather, Jill spends up to two hours watering the gardens. Activities and Wellbeing Co-ordinator, Caroline Mkai has also introduced more volunteers including her daughter, Sarah. 

Caroline said: “It’s wonderful to see volunteers and family members supporting our gardening efforts. With many different areas, our residents enjoy a walk around seeing what is growing and changing. They also love the colour of the flowers—it takes them back to their own gardens.”

Chris Weeden, Maintel Account Director, said: “I was very impressed by the ingenuity, effort and enthusiasm evident in Edwardstow Court’s beautiful gardens. It was clear that everyone involved showed plenty of care for the home, gardens and residents. Maintel is proud to support OSJCT with their cloud telephony solution, and sponsoring the Trust in Bloom, is icing on the cake.”

Residents’ family members, volunteers and employee’s family members have all taken time to help nurture gardens this year. Caroline said: “It’s nice for the families to come and have a look around and do a bit of weeding, join in with their loved ones.”

Edwardstow Court’s Trust in Bloom win is a celebration of nature, inclusion, and the power of shared purpose, and it’s woodland walk is open to the wider community.

The home runs regular gardening and community events at the care home. For more details follow the home on Facebook www.facebook.com/OSJCTEdwardstowCourt.