Alfreton Care Service Blooms in National Gardening Competition

A Derbyshire care home is celebrating after being crowned a winner in a gardening competition involving services across Salutem Care and Education.

Ash Lea House in Alfreton impressed judges in the annual Salutem in Bloom competition, which encourages the people supported by the organisation, alongside staff teams, to transform their outdoor spaces through planting, creativity and teamwork.

Ash Lea House is a 24-hour residential home supporting adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and complex needs.

Individuals supported at the home played an active role in the competition, working alongside staff to plan, plant and care for the garden and helping to create an outdoor space everyone could enjoy.

The competition saw Salutem services across the country embrace their green fingers, with everything from colourful flower beds and planters to vegetable patches and peaceful areas in which people could relax and enjoy being outdoors.
The initiative was designed to encourage people to get involved at whatever level suited them, share ideas, learn new skills and experience the enjoyment and sense of achievement that comes from seeing plants and gardens develop.

Ash Lea House’s efforts stood out to the judges, with the enthusiasm and teamwork behind the garden helping it secure the accolade.

John Godden, chief executive of Salutem Care and Education, said: “Salutem in Bloom is always a wonderful initiative because it brings together so many of the things we value – participation, creativity, teamwork and, most importantly, having fun.

“The team and the people we support at Ash Lea House have put a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and hard work into their garden and they should be extremely proud of what they have achieved.
“Gardens and outdoor spaces can make such a positive difference to people’s everyday lives. They are places to relax, socialise, be active and enjoy nature, and it has been fantastic to see everyone at Ash Lea House making their space their own.

“Congratulations to everyone involved on a thoroughly deserved win.”