Southbridge Care Home hosts garden party to celebrate cultivating memories project

Madi Cardno, Nancy Simpson and Kevin Kale at the garden party at Southbridge.

Last week, a gathering took place at Southbridge Care Home’s Courtyard in Goderich for a garden party hosted by Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH).

Staff, residents, friends and family along with community members gathered to mark the celebration of the Cultivating Memories and Pollinator Pathways project. This is a gardening initiative that establishes raised garden beds across long-term care and retirement homes in Huron County.

This addition to the project at Southbridge Care Home marks the seventh establishment of raised garden beds.

According to Gateway, the project aims to improve the quality of life for residents through the power of horticultural therapy.

By planting, tending and enjoying native and pollinator-friendly gardens, residents of Southbridge Care Homes are supported by recalling personal memories, enjoying the therapeutic benefits of time spent in nature, and cultivating new memories.

During the gathering, it was announced that Southbridge’s fifth-floor garden bed has been honoured with the Butterfly Ranger Award by The Butterflyway Project Goderich.

It was honoured for its outstanding native species planting. This recognition celebrates efforts made to attract butterflies and other pollinators, fostering an environment that is beautiful and ecologically meaningful.

According to Gateway, resident feedback underscored the emotional impact of the project.

“First of all, I love the people. It makes the garden,” admitted one resident of Southbridge.

“Everybody is here, and they’re cheerful. They look around and they see beauty and happiness. It brings everybody together. I am very impressed. I feel comfortable here and I love to see the smiles on everybody’s faces.”

For more information about Cultivating Memories & Pollinator Pathways and Gateway CERH’s work, please visit www.gatewayruralhealth.ca.