Green-Fingered Residents At Annan Court Get A £600 Surprise

Delighted Residents at Annan Court cannot wait to enjoy the outdoors this Spring thanks to £600 worth of gardening gifts.

The Home has been donated plants, hanging baskets, tools and gardening storage from the charity, 52 Lives with the support of Gala Bingo.

52 Lives is a charity that believes you can change people’s lives through kindness.

The gifts will be used by the keen Resident gardening club but will be enjoyed by everyone at the Home.

Resident Joan Williams, 73, said: “It means a lot because it tells people we care about things, we make friends, people who don’t have anyone can sit in our gardens, see what we’re doing and enjoy working with us.”

Head gardener Bill Howden, 93, has an extensive background in gardening and he has also been offered help by the Home’s Team Leaders, Mary Mcubbin and Gemma Schiller who will help ensure everything is kept watered and maintained during the weekends.

Deputy Manager Hayley Bogle said: “This is a very generous donation to our Residents that is greatly appreciated by everyone at Annan Court. This donation will enable our Residents to enjoy the outdoors and gardening for many years to come.”

Activities Co-ordinator June Fitzpatrick approached 52 Lives because she knew about the good work they do to inspire kindness. When the charity came up with the cash alongside Gala Bingo, the horticultural goodies were ordered from Trellis Scotland which is a network for therapeutic gardening.

She said: “We cannot believe it; the parcels just keep arriving. We cannot wait to get out into the garden and start using the items, we have rather a lot of packages to unpack first!”

As well as plants and products for the outdoors June also managed to acquire some seedling kits for Residents to grow indoors.

The pretty Home, with its buildings laid out around the courtyard, enjoys expansive views of the Solway Firth and the new gardening items will make the area even more special.

June added: “52 Lives and Gala Bingo have been amazing. Gardening can help with so much in terms of people physical, emotional and social wellbeing.

“Our Residents as well as Colleagues can all enjoy getting their hands dirty.”

Trellis Scotland says the benefits of gardening include:

• Social interaction and alleviating loneliness or offer a place to escape
• Mentally stimulating – can provide opportunities making decisions, as well as offering the chance to switch off and be creative
• Improving physical health and fitness
• Increased self esteem and confidence
• Builds skills other skills including general life skills and communication skills