Garden Competition gives Nancy a new ‘Lease’ of life
Following discussions at the Sheltered User Forum meeting early in the New Year it was decided to ask residents of the sheltered courts if they would like to take part in the first annual Garden Competition organised by Cestria Community Housing. Cestria supplied plants and compost for the tubs at the front of the buildings but Nancy Nicholson from Matfen Court has taken it a step further. She had recently moved into Sheltered Court after living in a house and missed her garden so she went out and bought planters and hanging baskets which she filled with brightly coloured plants. Nancy said ‘Although it’s been hard work it’s been lovely out at the front, people stop and chat to me while I’m doing the borders, it’s much better than sitting alone in my flat’ Nancy was really pleased when she was told she had won Third prize in the Best New Entry Section, but said that she already has big plans for next year!!
Nancy, who has not always had an easy life, finds that being able to look after the communal area at the front of Matfen has helped her to keep busy and given her something to focus on. Nancy said ‘I have a new found confidence since doing the garden and feel very positive about the future’. Nancy has organised fund raisers to help to purchase seating and planters for the paved area and has started growing plants from seeds ready for the next competition.
View all Cestria Life articles