Buds to Bloom Gardening Competition
Introduced in our 10th anniversary year, our first Buds to Bloom gardening competition celebrated the creativity, sustainability and wellbeing benefits of gardening. It gave colleagues, the people we support and our Regent College learners the chance to show off what they’ve grown, decorated and transformed.
Our Executive Team judged the entries, and it was a tough job. Behind each entry we saw pride in the places people call home, a commitment to sustainable thinking, and our values of passion, empowerment, respect and collaboration in action.
Our green fingered winners
Best Kept Plot: Lizzie, supported by Endurance Care Broadstairs
Lizzie has turned her back patio into a thriving vegetable garden, with potatoes, carrots, beetroot, broccoli and more. She is also tending her mum’s garden, where she has planted courgettes (she’s not keen, but Mum likes them!) and bulbs ready to bring colour in spring. Gardening has given Lizzie a sense of purpose and achievement, and the judges were heartened to see her confidence blossom alongside her plants.
Highly commended: Coppice Lodge. Suzanne and everyone at Coppice Lodge created brand new vegetable plots from scratch, and they flourished in the summer’s heatwave. The judges recognised the hard work, effort and teamwork behind their tremendous results.
Blooming Sight: Stephen, supported by Endurance Care Deal & Hythe
Stephen’s legendary front garden flower displays bring joy to his community. The judges were blown away by his consistent dedication to planting and nurturing, and by the outstanding results he achieves. Keep up the blooming wonderful work, Stephen!
Creative Oasis: Paul, supported by colleagues at Affinity Supporting People South
Paul’s entry is a heartfelt tribute to housemate Stuart, who sadly passed away last Christmas. Paul turned a section of the garden into a space of memory, and the judges were moved by the care that went into it. As promised to Stuart, he has lovingly maintained and decorated the space and planted daffodils, which will bring colour and light each spring.
Marvellous Makeover: Yew Tree House
Yew Tree House have been through a huge transformation this year, and the judges were wowed by the end result. There are so many colours and improvements, and they even grew their own vegetables along the way. It’s a blooming sight to behold!
Highly commended: Essential Care and Support (ECS). Teamwork definitely made the garden dream work at one of our ECS services. The team and the people they support have shown the value of collaboration at its best in transforming their outdoor space.
Sustainable Space: Essential Care & Support
At another of our ECS services, they upcycled an old tyre to create a stunning garden centrepiece. It’s a piece of creative genius that really impressed our judges.
Wildlife Sanctuary: Farouq, supported by colleagues at Affinity Supporting People South
Farouq’s impressive work on the rest of the garden was matched by his respect for wildlife, as he left an area for nesting birds to flourish. Well done, Farouq!
Community Garden: Regent College work experience learners
Regent College work experience learners impressed the judges with their outstanding work at Apedale Park’s allotment. They grow vegetables from seed to cook healthy meals, donate to charities and sell at college events. They even made the garden’s woodwork in their workshop, including bird boxes and planters. This entry could fit into several categories, and we’re delighted to recognise everyone involved.
"Huge congratulations to all of our Buds to Bloom winners, and to everyone who took part. Every entry showed the pride, passion and commitment that I see across NCG every day, from colleagues and the people we support to our Regent College learners. These gardens are more than beautiful spaces. They show what can happen when people feel empowered, work together and take pride in the places they call home. Thank you for making our first Buds to Bloom such a joy to judge. I hope it will become an established and celebrated annual event, and I can't wait to see what blooms next year."
Unlocking potential
At National Care Group, we empower people to reach their full potential and become active citizens in their local communities.
