2025 Garden Challenge

Aug 19, 2025

Our house shares took part in a very exciting, friendly competition this year. Inspired by the excellent work of our Garden Workshop participants, housemates decided to spruce up, nurture and get creative in their own gardens.

Throughout the year, all our houses have been working hard to make a difference in their gardens. Judges have been quietly observing and documenting the housemates’ progress.

We want to thank everyone who took part. Ewa, our Support Worker, who initiated and coordinated the community-wide project, said, “Your creativity, teamwork, and care brought beauty, colour, and fun to every corner of our community. The judges were truly impressed and had a very hard time choosing winners – you all did a fantastic job!”

Judges came to their decisions, and here are the results.

Overall Winner: Sunwood

Sunwood’s garden was full of colour, recycled items, and even fruits and vegetables. The before-and-after photos showed how much work was done, and the teamwork between residents really stood out. Well done, Sunwood – a well-deserved win!

Category Winners:

Most Creative Use of Recycled Materials: Sunwood

Beautiful use of reused items throughout the garden – colourful, clever, and inspiring.

Most Colourful Garden: Willowood

A vibrant and cheerful space with ceramic animals and a unique pine cone path that made it truly special.

Best Resident–Staff Collaboration: Whitethorn

Fantastic teamwork between residents and staff, especially the new rockery near Cookery. Joe and CC worked together to dig, design, and plant – a true joint effort.

Special Mention: Appleyard

Although they didn’t start with a traditional garden, the team created something unique – with an insect house, creative planters made from kitchen items, and very healthy plants. Great effort and creativity – your work definitely deserves recognition!

Also, a big shout-out to:

Blackthorn – for their fun beach-themed garden and excellent teamwork using a watering rota.

Kirtlington – for the neatest layout, fantastic range of herbs and veggies, and a surprise giant octopus!

Congratulations to everyone who took part!

We’re so proud of our residents. Whether they planted seeds, watered the flowers, decorated the space, or cheered from the side – they helped create something beautiful.

Tom, our Care & Support Registered Manager, said, “What beautiful gardens and hard work from residents and staff! Well done to all winners and entrants! Also, a massive thank you to the judges and, of course, to Ewa for her continued excellent work bringing the community together through activity.”