Cedar Lawn Care Home Residents Cultivate a New Garden

Residents Cultivate

Last week, the residents of Cedar Lawn in Romsey, Hampshire were surprised with a delightful gift – a brand new garden! This special project was spearheaded by renowned Garden Designer Antony Henn of ‘Garden on a Roll,’ inspired by a conversation with our Activities Co-Ordinator, Sandy.

 

During their chat at the Gardeners World Garden Show at Beaulieu, Sandy shared the residents’ love for gardening, but also the challenges some faced due to limited mobility.

Planting the Seeds of Creativity

Antony’s thoughtful response came in the form of a VegTrug, a special raised garden bed perfectly suited for wheelchair accessibility. Along with it came a biodegradable planting plan, peat-free compost, and a vibrant selection of plants. The residents eagerly participated, matching the plants with their designated spots on the plan. The collaborative effort brought smiles and a sense of accomplishment as they witnessed their beautiful garden blossom.

Blooming with Well-being

Bianca, the Cedar Lawn manager, couldn’t contain her excitement. “This will make a world of difference for our residents,” she shared. “Being able to reach the plants and actively participate in gardening again will have a positive impact on their well-being. Not only that, but the new garden brings a pop of color and a lovely focal point to the Courtyard, creating a more vibrant atmosphere.”

A Heartfelt Thank You

We are incredibly grateful to Antony for his generosity and for bringing so much joy and greenery to Cedar Lawn. This thoughtful gift has not only rekindled the residents’ love for gardening but has also fostered a sense of community and well-being. The new garden serves as a beautiful reminder of the power of kindness and the importance of creating accessible spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Catherine
Sales Manager

Catherine has worked in sales and marketing her whole career, after graduating with a degree in Textile Management she worked in Corporate Workwear for many years. Catherine’s first role in the care sector was working with a disability charity that ran nursing homes and enablement projects for young adults.

Catherine

While her two children were younger, she joined her husband in his estate agency, but was delighted to return to the care sector in 2020 and now cannot imagine doing anything else.

Catherine’s role with Allegra is to support residents and their families as they explore care options. Working with the teams in the individual homes she ensures that during every stage from initial enquiry through to moving in with us every question is answered, and we offer the reassurance needed for the next chapter in our resident’s life. It is important for our residents to remain part of the community in which will have lived for years, often all their lives, so the other part of this role is connecting with local community groups, charities and organisations.

Catherine has said that working for Allegra with their groundbreaking household model means we are offering a home with compassion and care whilst ensuring residents are retaining their independence and quality of life.

Out of work Catherine enjoys baking and gardening The children are older now, but still keep her busy!

Paul Thomas
Regional Manager - Western Region

Paul has joined Allegra Care with 28 years’ experience in the health and social care sector including working in senior leadership roles for the last 18 years; covering operations, business management and quality assurance. Paul has a real passion for person centred care and how that is delivered at the highest level.

Allegra Team Paul Thomas

Paul has worked across a diverse sector over his time in health and social care and brings a wealth of experience to his new role as Regional Manager. Paul believes in integrating real and meaningful values and culture into a service and in doing so, delivering the outcomes for the people we support. Paul goes by the theory of values with no meaning, have no value.

Outside of work, Paul is the father of three boys and a 2nd degree black belt who teaches Judo.