Trust in Bloom
Why it matters
Choosing a care home is about more than facilities - it’s about quality of life.
Spending time outdoors can lift mood, encourage gentle activity, and create moments of calm, connection and joy. For many people, it also brings back familiar routines through watering plants, enjoying fresh air, or simply sitting in a peaceful space with others.
And it matters to families too.
Research shows that 74% of people looking for care consider access to a garden one of the most important features of a home, while many say being surrounded by nature feels restorative and therapeutic.
That’s why we invest in outdoor spaces that support the whole person, not just their care needs.
More than gardening
Trust in Bloom isn’t a gardening competition in the traditional sense. It’s a way of bringing our homes to life through spaces that feel welcoming, purposeful and full of possibility.
You might see residents choosing what to plant, tending to raised beds, or simply enjoying time outdoors with friends and family. Some gardens are lively and social, others quiet and reflective but all are shaped by the people who use them.
These spaces support:
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Wellbeing, through fresh air, movement and time to relax
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Dementia-friendly living, with familiar scents, colours and safe, accessible design
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Meaningful activity, giving residents a sense of purpose and pride
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Community connection, bringing together families, volunteers and local groups
Care seekers across age groups agreed that the most important facility to have in a care home is an external, natural or green space such as a garden.
Lottie, The State of Care 2024 report
What it looks like in our homes
Every home brings Trust in Bloom to life in its own way.
Some create sensory gardens filled with lavender and herbs, designed to spark memory and calm. Others grow fruit and vegetables, or develop wildlife areas that attract birds and pollinators. Many create spaces simply to sit, chat and spend time together.
No two gardens are the same because no two communities are the same. Take a look below at what some of our participating homes created.
🏆 Meet our 2026 Trust in Bloom winners
Overall Winner
Meadowcroft - Best partnership effort
A very special congratulations to our overall winner, Meadowcroft, and category winners Goodson Lodge and Monkscroft.
An extra cheer to those reaching the semi-finals and those achieving a Gold, Silver or Bronze award. And there’s plenty more to celebrate!
See a full list of results below.
Most resident-led garden
Goodson Lodge – Gold [Category Winner]
Isis House – Gold
Lake House – Silver
Monkscroft – Silver
Coombe End Court – Bronze
Hayward Care Centre – Bronze
Langford View – Bronze
Grace Care Centre – Semi-Finalist
Wellford Gardens – Semi-Finalist
Whitebeam House – Semi-Finalist
199 Buckingham Road, Aylesbury – Semi-Finalist
Best individual garden
Judith at Monkscroft – Gold [Category Winner]
Eve at Hartsholme House – Gold
Walter at Lake House – Silver
Phil at Marden Court – Bronze
Best partnership effort
Meadowcroft – Gold [Category Winner]
Edwardstow – Gold
Gregory House – Silver
St Wilfrid’s Priory – Silver
Chilterns Court – Bronze
Hartsholme House – Bronze
Windsor Street – Bronze
Apple Trees – Semi-Finalist
Chestnut Court – Semi-Finalist
Sir Aubrey Ward House – Semi-Finalist
The Lakes – Semi-Finalist
Whitefriars – Semi-Finalist
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Ashwood
Athelstan
Avonbourne
Belgrave Lodge
Bemerton Lodge
Cherry Garth
Chesham Supported Living
Fremantle Court
Henry Cornish Care Centre
Icknield Court
Larkrise Care Centre
Longlands
Madley Park House
Marston Court
Mulberry Court
Old Station House
Ridgeway
Skirbeck Court
Southfield House
Spencer Court
Stirlings
The Heights
The Meadows
The Poplars
Townsend House
Watersmead
Westgate House
Willowcroft
Wing View Care Centre
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.
Cheryl Gilderdale, Home Manager at Hartsholme House, 2025 Trust in Bloom winner
Celebrating creativity, care and community
Each year, homes across the Trust take part in Trust in Bloom, working towards a shared theme and showcasing their creativity, teamwork and dedication.
The 2026 theme, “Friendship”, celebrates the role our outdoor spaces play in bringing people together - from forming new connections to strengthening lifelong bonds.
Homes can take part in a range of ways, whether that’s:
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A garden led and cared for by residents
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An individual space created with pride
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A shared project with families, volunteers or local partners
Gardens are recognised not just for how they look, but for the difference they make supporting wellbeing, encouraging activity, and creating opportunities for people to connect.
A reflection of who we are
As a not-for-profit organisation, everything we do is focused on people — not shareholders.
Trust in Bloom is a visible expression of that commitment:
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Investing in environments that enhance everyday life
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Creating opportunities for connection and belonging
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Supporting our teams to go above and beyond for residents
It’s care you can see, feel and experience.
