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 New approach sees elderly gardener get green fingers back

New approach sees elderly gardener get green fingers back

By 10th May, 2019 Press Releases Comments Off

A KEEN gardener has got his green fingers back, despite ongoing mobility issues, thanks to a creative ageing charity.

John Swain, 91, had been unable to continue pursuing his passion for gardening after age-related reduction in mobility.

After moving into Mandale House Care Home, on Acklam Road, Thornaby, he has been shown a new approach that has given him access to gardening once again.

The home has been working with Newcastle-based charity Equal Arts, which aims improve the lives of older people, to provide gardening activities for residents.

Equal Arts associate Raël Rawlinson and Mandale House Care Home activities coordinator Sarah Robinson helped residents pot snips of lavender and fill planters in the home’s garden.

During the activity, Raël showed John that by breaking jobs into smaller tasks and using planters at the right height he could continue his hobby.

He said: “I used to tend every aspect of my garden, including cutting the grass, overturning areas and replanting bedding plants.

“I’ve not been able to do a lot of the work for a while, so I hired someone to assist me.

“I’ve really enjoyed getting back into the garden with Raël and Sarah and getting my hands dirty again. I’m looking forward to doing more gardening this summer.”

Sarah said: “With spring arriving and the weather improving, John had expressed much disappointment about not being able to garden anymore due to his health.

“So being able to show him a new way of adapting gave him so much confidence. He made me very proud. He has gone on to proudly tell him family about his achievements too.

“All the residents who took part had so much fun and enjoyed seeing the fruits of their labour over the last few days on the sun deck.

“We’d like to say a big thank you to Equal Arts and Raël for their help and support.”