Wandsworth in Bloom shortlist!

Our staff, volunteers, and clients at Age UK Wandsworth are celebrating a fantastic achievement: being shortlisted for the prestigious Wandsworth in Bloom competition in two different categories! This recognition is a testament to the hard work and creativity that goes into making our spaces a welcoming haven for the community's older residents.

Their first shortlisting is for Best Business in Bloom, for the colourful floral designs painted on the windows of our Gwynneth Morgan Day Centre and our Information and Advice Centre. This entry showcases how simple, thoughtful decorations can brighten up a street and bring joy to people going about their everyday lives.

The second shortlisting, for Best Community Facility Garden, celebrates our remarkable garden at our Gwynneth Morgan Day Centre. This garden is designed with an understanding of the needs of those living with dementia. With features like raised beds, accessible pathways, and sensory plants, the garden provides a safe and stimulating environment where older adults can reconnect with nature.

The garden is a hub of activity, with groups like the ‘Growing Older Together Gardening Group’ engaging participants in activities that stimulate both body and mind. It's a place where volunteers, service users, and even young children come together, fostering a sense of community, purpose, and shared achievement.

The garden takes a lot of work to maintain and we are indebted to the team from GoodGym and volunteering groups from Neighbourly who regularly volunteer at our Day Centre. Recently a team from GoodGym (pictured above) turned out after work and with huge smiles on one of the hottest nights set about planting out in our garden to help get the plants donated by Wimbledon Foundation, who again this year donated plants from the tennis championships.

This double shortlisting is a true win for our Age UK Wandsworth community, and a powerful reminder of how a little bit of green can make a world of difference.