Care Home’s Flower Power Raises £700 For Charity Through NGS Open Days

Two garden open days at a Dorset care home have raised hundreds of pounds to help take local families out of hardship.

The public afternoons at Colten Care’s Brook View in West Moors were part of the home’s ongoing annual involvement in the National Garden Scheme (NGS).

Admission charges, donations and proceeds from the sale of plants and craft items made by residents together raised more than £700.

Of this, £168 is for NGS charities with £534 going to STARF, the home’s main nominated community cause for this year.

Standing for ‘Stronger Together Across Ringwood and Fordingbridge’, STARF is a group of volunteers from the two towns who co-ordinate funding and support for families and individuals living with poverty, debt worries and mental health issues.

More than 70 visitors joined Brook View residents on the two open days, admiring the wide variety of plants and flowers on show in the home’s gardens.

Brook View Companionship Team Leader Lauren Parrett said:
“It was a joy to open our beautiful gardens to the public once again, all in aid of charity.

“Our gardeners have been working tirelessly throughout the year to produce a wonderful and peaceful space for our residents, relatives and community to enjoy.

“Residents were proud to show off projects they have been working on such as outdoor decorations, hedgehog homes and hanging lanterns made in arts and crafts sessions.

“These items were set up on our craft stall where we sold them to raise funds for our charity.”

Brook View resident Rosa Leicester said:
“The weekend was wonderful, there was something for everyone.”