Westfield House are winners of a top regional gardening award

Westfield House, dementia friendly care home is managed by the Abbeyfield Loughborough Society, and provides accommodation and care for up to 31 older people. The residents benefit from facilities specially designed to benefit people living with dementia, including a sensory garden, which recently won them an 'It's Your Neighbourhood' award.

The ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ Award is one of several presented every year to projects that put an emphasis on community participation, environmental responsibility and gardening achievement. The nominees are judged by experts from Britain in Bloom, who also provide valuable feedback on how to grow and improve each project. Westfield House’s Award describes the garden as ‘Thriving’, the second-highest level of award offered by the organisation.

Member of staff Rebecca Hearn said, “Our maintenance team and residents have enjoyed maintaining our garden, from colourful hanging basket displays to mixed shrub and flower borders.

The residents have enjoyed raising plants from seeds including sunflowers and peppers, and looking after our bird boxes by replenishing them with delicious homemade birdfeeders, attracting the attention of blue tits and wrens.

"Residents enjoy sitting and relaxing in our garden when the weather permits it and enjoy any activities involving gardening.”

One resident said that they especially enjoyed the process of weeding, as it ensures that “everywhere looks tidy”, while another added, "It reminds me of my parents, as they enjoyed gardening."

The project also demonstrates a focus on recycling and repurposing. Rebecca explains, “A number of shrubs were saved from our Ashby Road site, which has now been demolished to allow for a new complex which will link to Westfield House, and these were re-planted in our Westfield House garden.”

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