GREEN-fingered residents of a Catterick Garrison care home have been enjoying the fruits of their labour from gardening therapy sessions.

As part of the programme at Rosedale Care Home, residents have been landscaping gardens and grounds by growing flowers, potting plants and planting several fruit trees.

Residents who are bedbound have also been getting involved by potting plants with staff members in a mobile garden taken to their bedrooms.

Research has shown that therapeutic qualities of gardening have a positive impact on the health of care home residents in a number of ways, including encouraging gentle exercise, stimulating appetite, increasing vitamin D levels, improving mood and relieving stress.

Rosedale recently entered a national competition which encourages care homes to get residents and staff involved in decorating their gardens and receptions to make them bright and inviting.

Activities coordinator Julie Dempsey said: “We are a very family-orientated home here at Rosedale so we like to encourage staff and families to join us for our activities and events.

“Gardening work provides an excellent activity for residents, staff and families to share in and bond over and is something that people of all ages can get involved in and enjoy.

“Not only has it been a lot of fun but it’s been very rewarding for our residents to see their efforts pay off and have our gardens looking so bright, welcoming and beautiful.”

“We have had fantastic support from families, staff and local businesses who have been generously donating plants, trees and bulbs and their time."

Additional plans include building raised flower beds and developing the sensory garden for dementia care clients.