Green Fingered Residents Get Growing for National Gardening Week

2nd June 2019

Residents at Movilla House Nursing Home, Newtownards got back to their roots when they took part in the Royal Horticultural Society’s annual celebration of gardening - National Gardening Week (29 April – 5 May).

Everyone at Movilla House enjoyed getting their hands dirty planting up childrens’ wellies to create a fun and cheerful display. Residents worked together in the spring sunshine to complete gardening tasks such as watering, planting bulbs and various plants.

Tracey Anderson, Home Manager at Movilla House, explained why getting involved in National Gardening Week was so important to everyone at the nursing home: “For many residents, gardening has been a lifelong hobby. At Movilla House we support the green-fingered among us to continue enjoying these activities.

“One resident in particular, Anne Adams recalled spending time in her own garden where she enjoyed growing plants and flowers from seedlings. She thoroughly enjoyed watching the plants and flowers develop over the seasons. This activity reminded her of long summer, carefree days spent in the garden and she is looking forward to the better weather. |I don’t think she is the only one!!

“Spending time outdoors planting, growing and nurturing the garden is a much-loved pastime for many, soaking up the sights and sounds of the garden – feeling the sun on your face and the soil on your fingertips – can also have numerous benefits for those living with dementia, so we were all very keen to take part in National Gardening Week. The gardening not only keeps residents fit and active but also stimulates their minds. They love taking their relatives out to see what they have been doing and it encourages them to reminisce.”