Residents, employees, volunteers and community supporters at Paternoster House in Cirencester and Hartsholme House in Lincoln are celebrating after both care homes were named joint winners of OSJCT Trust in Bloom 2025.

These awards recognise the dedication, creativity and teamwork that have transformed each home’s gardens into vibrant, therapeutic and inclusive spaces for residents, families and the wider community to enjoy.

Hartsholme House achieved its win with gardens designed around resident feedback and a philosophy of ‘happy chaos’. Their entry featured accessible paths and patios, quiet reflection corners, hanging baskets and whimsical touches such as a golden throne fairy garden and a planted-up model cow. The gardens also support rehabilitation and engagement for residents, including those living with dementia.

Paternoster House impressed judges with its year-round planting and thoughtful design, offering quiet reflection spaces, a woodland area, sensory features for residents living with dementia, and community events such as birthday celebrations and exercise classes. Volunteers take care of different areas of the garden, ensuring a welcoming environment where residents and visitors can enjoy nature together.

Both homes competed alongside more than 50 OSJCT care homes and services and received gardening vouchers from competition sponsors Maintel and Switchshop. 

Cheryl Gilderdale, Home Manager at Hartsholme House, said: “Winning again is a fantastic achievement. I’m so proud of our team and everyone who helped transform the gardens. For residents living with dementia, the joy on their faces when they see the flowers and wildlife says it all.”

Lindsey Worthy, Home Manager at Paternoster House, said: “I’m incredibly proud of our team and residents for what we’ve achieved together in the gardens. Trust in Bloom has given us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the creativity, care and community spirit that makes Paternoster House so special.”

Chris Weeden, Maintel Account Director, who visited Paternoster House earlier this year said: “I was very impressed by the ingenuity, effort and enthusiasm evident in Paternoster’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.”

Trust in Bloom is one of OSJCT’s most anticipated annual events, celebrating gardening as a way to enhance wellbeing, strengthen community connections, and create outdoor spaces that everyone can enjoy.