Herb your enthusiasm – Epsom care home residents welcome local Mayor for allotment launch

Green-fingered residents at a care home in Epsom were joined by the local Mayor and community to unveil the home’s new allotment.  

Care UK’s Appleby House, on Longmead Road, has unveiled its Appleby Allotment to give gardening enthusiasts at the care home an opportunity to grow fresh produce and flowers and enjoy spending time outdoors. 

The new allotment, which has been created in collaboration with local gardening club, The Orchard Day Club, features raised beds, allowing older people and those in a wheelchair to garden. 

The new outdoor space also includes three greenhouses, a shed, and a decking area where residents can sit and enjoy the sun. Over the coming months, the residents hope the allotment will bloom with fresh flowers and an assortment of vegetables. 

Shona Bradbury, Home Manager at Appleby House, said: “The spring showers didn’t stop us, it was wonderful to welcome the local community and Mayor to see how far Appleby’s allotment has come since we had the idea just a few months ago. We were delighted that Councilor Clive Woodbridge could join us to unveil the allotment and celebrate the success of the project so far. 

“Here at Appleby House, we have many residents who enjoy gardening, and we wanted to create a new space outside for everyone to enjoy during the warmer months. Getting outdoors has many therapeutic benefits for older people, not least because it give them the opportunity to get back to nature, but it can also improve mood, concentration and relive stress. 

“We want to say a big thank you to everyone who came along to our grand unveiling and look forward to welcoming back the local community to sample our produce very soon. If ever there’s a surplus of produce, we’ll have you covered!”

Appleby House has been designed to encourage residents to live active and fulfilling lives, while remaining as independent as possible in a safe environment. The modern care home provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care.

To find out more about Appleby House, please call 0333 4343 002 or email Home Manager, Shona Bradbury, at Shona.Bradbury@careuk.com   

For more general information, visit careuk.com/appleby-house