Mirrambeena Residential Aged Care bumper harvest
A flourishing garden kept by residents at Baptistcare Mirrambeena Residential Aged Care in Margaret River is growing both fresh produce and links with the local community.
Scroll to Explore
15 December 2017
News
| Aged Care Homes
A flourishing garden kept by residents at Baptistcare Mirrambeena Residential Care in Margaret River is growing both fresh produce and links with the local community.
The residents’ gardening endeavours are part of their weekly activity program. It starts with making seed-raising pots using recycled newspaper which are used in the gardens at the residential care facility and local primary schools.
Vegetable seedlings are planted into garden beds at Baptistcare Mirrambeena and carefully looked after by the residents. Harvesting the veggies is a big highlight for all involved and a bumper harvest of beetroot, rocket, coriander, mint, turnips and lettuce was recently produced to everyone’s delight.
Residents and staff display the vegetables for staff and volunteers to purchase, with funds going back towards buying seeds and other supplies. The fresh produce is also used for cooking activities by the residents.
Local businesses and community groups have shown fantastic generosity and support for the gardening program, with the local Bunnings visiting and donating essential supplies, such as mulch, potting mix and fertiliser. The garden also features custom-made raised garden beds for residents using wheelchairs, which were built thanks to donations from Margaret River’s Lions Club.
Lifestyle Coordinator Julieann Ryan said gardening has many benefits for the residents and they particularly value the connections it creates with the community.
“Gardening touches the residents’ lives on so many levels – it’s associated with memories of their life and their parents, as well as cooking with family and friends. It’s also very hands-on and therapeutic, which everyone enjoys!” said Julieann.
Click here for more information about residential aged care at BaptistCare.