Angela brings colour to Wickmeads for her Resident of the Day

A love of gardening was at the heart of a very special day for Angela, a resident at Care South’s Wickmeads care home, as she chose to spend her time caring for the hanging baskets around the home’s grounds.

Each month, residents at Wickmeads are given their own ‘Resident of the Day’, an opportunity to choose something meaningful to them, whether that is an activity, a favourite pastime or a special wish they would like the team to help make happen.

When Hudson, Activities Lead at Wickmeads, sat down with Angela to talk about how she would like to spend her day, she knew straight away what she wanted to do.

“I would like to spend time sorting out the hanging baskets,” she said.

Putting a lifelong love of gardening into practice

Angela has always been a keen gardener and particularly enjoys the satisfaction that comes from caring for plants and watching them grow, flower and mature.

With watering can in hand, Angela and Hudson set to work.

After a summer of prolonged hot weather, their first job was to make sure the hanging baskets had plenty of water. They then carefully removed flowers that were past their best, helping to encourage the remaining plants to continue blooming for as long as possible.

The pair spent around an hour tending to the baskets, making sure they were looking their best and could continue bringing colour to the grounds for residents, relatives, colleagues and visitors to enjoy.

Meaningful activities that matter

For Angela, the activity was about much more than simply caring for flowers.

It gave her the chance to continue doing something she has loved for many years, while also contributing to the surroundings she shares with friends at Wickmeads.

Meaningful activities like these can provide a real sense of purpose, achievement and enjoyment, especially when they reflect a resident’s own interests and life experiences.

At Care South, residents are encouraged to continue enjoying the hobbies and pastimes that matter most to them, with activities tailored around individual preferences wherever possible.

A special day to remember

Angela’s Resident of the Day was a simple but meaningful reminder that some of the most enjoyable moments can come from doing familiar things that bring a real sense of satisfaction.

Thanks to her care and attention, the hanging baskets at Wickmeads will continue to brighten the home’s grounds for everyone to enjoy for a little while longer.