Resident-Led Gardening Club Helps Wellbeing Bloom At Rotherham Care Home

Residents at a Rotherham care home are staying active, rediscovering lifelong hobbies, and building new friendships via an inclusive gardening club that has already produced potato, lettuce, and beetroot harvests.

Beginning as a small group of green-fingered individuals living at Byron Lodge Care Home, run by We Care Group in Wath-upon-Dearne, John’s Gardening Club has since grown into a popular part of the home’s weekly activities programme.

Members regularly meet to tend flower beds, plant seasonal blooms, and grow herbs and vegetables, taking pride in seeing their crops develop from seed to table.

The sessions, initiated by keen gardener and resident, John Sharp, provide gentle exercise, encourage teamwork, and create a shared sense of achievement and purpose.

The club has also welcomed support from residents’ relatives, Amanda and Rob Hamilton, both of whom have local allotments. They share gardening advice, ideas, and plants, helping members learn new skills while strengthening links between homes, families, and the wider community.

Maxine Gascoigne, Registered Manager at Byron Lodge Care Home, said: “John’s passion has brought our garden to life in more ways than one. It gives people a reason to spend time outdoors, try something new, and work towards a shared goal.

“Seeing friendships and confidence flourish as everyone cares for their surroundings has been wonderful. John, Amanda, and Rob make everybody feel welcome, regardless of their experience or ability, and we’re incredibly grateful for their contribution”.
Byron Lodge provides meaningful activities shaped around residents’ interests, and offers nursing, residential, and dementia care for up to 61 people, helping them to maintain purpose, independence, and connection.

Bernie Suresparan, Chief Executive Officer at We Care Group, said: “Purposeful care means giving people genuine opportunities to contribute and continue doing what they love. Resident-led initiatives like John’s show how simple ideas shaped around individual interests can support physical and mental wellbeing and meaningful social connections”.