Care Home Residents Open Brand-New Garden Room in Bid to Retain Gardening Competition Crown

Residents at Herald Lodge care home in Coventry, operated by Ideal Carehomes, are ready to get green-fingered after the grand opening of their brand-new Garden Room.

When the Herald Lodge residents expressed their wishes for an indoor space to prepare their plants for Ideal Carehomes’ annual gardening competition, Gardens in Bloom, the staff and residents came together to design the Garden Room, where they could pot and plant come rain or shine.

Gardens in Bloom is an annual competition run throughout all Ideal Carehomes to engage residents, staff and the local community in creating wonderful outside spaces for everyone to enjoy.

In 2022, Herald Lodge was named a joint winner of Gardens in Bloom, alongside their sister home, Ash Tree House in Wigan. This year, the residents at Herald Lodge are determined to keep their title.

The new Garden Room and was given a fresh coat of paint, new furniture, a greenhouse, and lots of handmade garden-themed artwork, carefully crafted by the residents at Herald Lodge.

101-year-old resident and avid gardener, Phyllis Deacon, cut the ceremonial ribbon in the grand opening of the new Garden Room. Phyllis said,

‘I was always so proud of my garden before moving to Herald Lodge, so I’m really enjoying spending time gardening here. I felt honoured to be able to cut the ribbon and open the Garden Room for all the residents, I can’t wait to share gardening my skills with everyone.’

Gemma Pearcey, the Home Manager at Herald Lodge, said,

‘We’re all very excited to take part in this year’s Gardens in Bloom competition – our residents are already spending lots of time in the new Garden Room, potting their favourite flowers, ready to be put on display.

‘Everyone absolutely loves the Garden Room! It’s a beautiful space, and the artwork from the residents gives it a very special, personal touch. We look forward to inviting members of our local community to join us for some gardening fun in the coming weeks.’

Herald Lodge is a residential and dementia care home operated by Ideal Carehomes. With 42 ensuite bedrooms, attractive décor and freely accessible gardens, Herald Lodge is rated as GOOD by the CQC (Care Quality Commission).