A Visit to Margaret’s Care Home

This week’s bi-weekly visit to Margaret at her care home saw El, Roxy and Barbara lending a hand in the communal garden.

Armed with gloves and plenty of enthusiasm, the team got stuck into some deadheading and weeding to help keep the garden looking neat and flourishing. Margaret was there to share her company and encouragement, and together everyone took time to admire the bursts of colour now brightening up the space.

It was a lovely hour of gentle gardening, cheerful conversation, and teamwork – proof that even a little care goes a long way in keeping the garden thriving and enjoyable for all the residents.

Barbaratogether with Roxy ( who was - literally - fresh from her marathon success at the weekend) helped out Margaret with some much needed pruning.

Always appreciative and always full of smiles, its always a pleasure to give Margaret a helping hand.

On a sunny and peaceful July evening, GoodGym volunteers Roxy and Barbara visited the Beehive Residential Care Home to lend a helping hand in the beautiful garden cared for by Margaret, one of the home’s most cherished residents.

Margaret, known for her dedication and green thumb, spends hours lovingly tending to the garden so that all the residents can enjoy its colour, calm, and life. Her enthusiasm and pride in the space are infectious, and it was a joy for Roxy and Barbara to work alongside her.

The team got stuck into some gentle weeding and pruning, working together to clear away overgrowth and make the flowerbeds shine again. Laughter and stories were shared between snips of secateurs, with Margaret offering expert guidance and a warm smile throughout.

To ensure safety, Roxy and Barbara thoughtfully placed a bright cone over a tripping hazard they spotted in the garden — a small but important gesture to help keep Margaret and other residents safe while they enjoy the outdoor space.

The hour flew by, and as the garden looked neater and more vibrant, there was a real sense of shared achievement. It was a perfect example of what community connection and kindness can bring.

Thank you to Margaret for welcoming the GoodGym team so warmly — we can’t wait to return and see what’s blooming next!

This week, three caring GoodGymers — Barbara Roxy, and Paula headed to Beehive Care Home in Ferring to lend a hand to Margaret, a resident with a true passion for gardening.

Margaret had found it difficult to settle into her new home, having left behind the beautiful garden she’d lovingly tended for many years. But rather than give up her green-fingered ways, she took it upon herself to transform the communal garden at Beehive into something both pretty and purposeful — a place residents can enjoy and connect with nature.

With secateurs in hand and smiles on their faces, the GoodGym trio joined Margaret to help prune and tidy the garden, giving the plants space to thrive and restoring some order to the borders. Margaret’s joy was clear to see — a little teamwork went a long way in helping her feel supported and proud of her growing garden project.

It was a small but powerful act of kindness, showing how community and connection can help things — and people — bloom.

-Thank you to Barbara, Roxy, and Paula for helping out tonight and a big shoutout to Margaret for her inspiring dedication to bringing beauty and life to her new home. 🌸**

*Summer washout *

With the drizzle coming down even before we arrived it was like a ray of sunshine to see Margaret standing eagerly awaiting us. A drop of rain doesn't stop her ! In fact she didn't seem to notice. Margaret had asked to pop back to help her with the final phase of the garden that she had started when she first moved into the home last August.

Having moved from her own beautiful garden it took Margaret a while to settle in but having this new garden to transform has really helped her feel happier together with it being a huge benefit to the other residents and staff too. She brought loads of cuttings from her own garden and filled up the new borders with beautiful perennials. So very talented !

Roxy, Barbara and I carried out Margaret's requests to weed and prune the bits she found tricky to do herself. 40 minutes later, and much to her delight we were all done and she proudly invited us into the conservatory for refreshments and a natter!

A real feel good task tonight ! We will return next year ( if not before) to give our favourite resident another hand.

What a joy

What an absolute joy to return to this task for our second visit.

Margaret was ready and waiting at the gate to let us in. What a wonderful surprise we had. Since our last visit Margaret has worked miracles to present an absolutely wonderful garden. Her presence spills over in every way to provide a calm, tranquil and beautiful space to enjoy her enduring work.

Barbara Paula Daisy and I contributed in a small way to support Margaret with her aspirations and vision for the garden which she has adopted as her own in her new home.

Tasks like these don't come much more special ❤️

Julia xx