Potted Perfection takes root at Elizabeth Finn Homes

To celebrate National Care Home Open Week, the staff and residents at Elizabeth Finn Homes donned their gardening gloves and created some show pieces worthy of the Chelsea Flower show!

Introduced for the first time this year, this inter-home competition set out to engage staff, residents, volunteers and families whilst creating beautiful garden decorations to brighten up the front porches and entrances of the homes. 

Each home was tasked with developing a creative approach linked to the Elizabeth Finn Homes values of Bring Love, Welcome All, Inspire More and Act with Purpose whilst also reflecting aspects of the company strategy and its unique profit for purpose model.

Encouraged to acquire a range of suitable vessels to use as plant pots, these were then decorated and planted to create colourful and attractive additions to their outdoor spaces.

Entries were judged late June by an internal team who considered each submission, scoring on a specific set of criteria that included colour, creation, wow-factor, resident participation, purpose and values.

“We were absolutely delighted with the entries,” states Anna Boyes, EFH Marketing Director.  “We wanted to encourage our staff and residents to get together as a team, to combine the creative energy of everyone and provide a thought-provoking activity that also involved an element of competition. But just as importantly to have some fun.” 

The winning home, The Cotswold Home in Burford, delighted the local community both whilst building and then showcasing its final display. Focusing on sustainability commitments, the display is made wholly from recycled items, the highlight being ‘Roseabella’, the ironing board lady.  They will receive a new ornamental bird bath for their garden.

Cotswold Home General Manager, Jessica Walter, comments: “Our residents have loved being a part of this competition and seeing the project grow. It has been a talking point for so many and the residents have been proud to show it off to their guests. The whole display was created using the themes of love and kindness, something that is abundant within our wonderful home.”

Elizabeth Finn Homes operates eight care homes across England and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the charity Turn2us.  Founded by Elizabeth Finn, a pioneering philanthropist, who set up the Distressed Gentlefolks’ Aid Association in 1897, originally based in her London home.