Carrickfergus Manor care home, a leading provider of Senior Nursing, Residential and Dementia Care services in Mid and East Antrim area, is thrilled to announce being awarded the prestigious award of Best Care Home in the Community, due to a new community garden initiative, aimed at fostering a positive connection, meaningful activity and wellbeing among residents, staff and the local community. This recognition celebrates our commitment in creating a vibrant and inclusive environment for our residents and the wider community. The award was presented by Age-well Awards 2024, at a ceremony on the 1st of March in Tullyglass House Hotel in Ballymena.
Receiving the Best Care Home in the Community award is a real testament to the hard work, collaboration, passion and dedication of our Management and Wellbeing/Activities team at Carrickfergus Manor. We are immensely proud of this achievement and grateful for the recognition of our efforts to create a positive impact in our community.
The garden, funded by Mencap, previously an unused space, is now a working, green oasis, designed to promote intergenerational, meaningful, physical activity, mental well-being, sustainability and a sense of community among residents and their families, staff, volunteers and visitors alike. The garden, features a polytunnel, raised beds, fruit trees and bushes as well as seating areas and a tea shed, to promote relaxation and socialising. The inclusive space has been designed to be accessible for everyone, despite mobility challenges.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Mencap, My Community Carrickfergus, New Horizons, residents and their families, staff, volunteers and community members who have contributed to the success of our Community Garden initiative. Your support, hard work and collaboration have been instrumental in making this initiative a success.
“We are delighted to receive this prestigious award and recognition of the hard work of everyone who played a part. Leading this initiative has been a wonderful and enlightening experience. I wish we could fully capture, and share with you the delight and joy, that we have witnessed over the past year. We have seen people come alive as they got their hands dirty, memories awakened as they shared wisdom and stories and lots of laughter and singing while chatting and making connection with members of our community, building relationships and enjoying tasting the fruit of their labour, getting involved, not restricted by their mobility challenges. It has been an honour to witness and spend time with these wonderful people and do this as a job” Michelle -Wellbeing Lead Carrickfergus Manor.
Tracey, Director of Operations added “I am delighted that Carrickfergus Manor have won this award. It is a fitting tribute to the home, as they deliver exceptional care with such a strong team behind them and a fantastic manager who has been instrumental in ensuring quality care is provided to our residents. They have embraced the importance of community, with their involvement in several community-based projects. Well done to everyone involved.”
“I began volunteering with this Community Garden Project from the start. It has changed my life, gave me structure and purpose to my week and I now feel less lonely. Being involved with this team has helped my confidence and I now help assist other activities within the home”. Jonathan, Volunteer
“I have always enjoyed gardening, I had a beautiful garden at home, this has been a great addition to Carrick Manor, a bit of home from home. My bedroom looks out onto the Community Garden and I love watching and keeping an eye on what I have planted. It has been great fun to spend time there with my friends chatting”. Annnie, Resident.
“I have loved tasting the fruit and veg and look at the flowers. It has also been great to spend time, having a laugh and chat while relaxing in the garden with my friends and family.” Joan, Resident
“I am retired and have volunteered for over a year now. I have enjoyed tending the garden and watching it progress from an unused area to a wonderful relaxing, social, working space. I have enjoyed collaborating, making friends, spending time with the staff, volunteers and residents and seeing the joy on their faces as they got involved, also the delight on some others as they watched and waved when the weather was wet. I belong to a group and play the ukulele. We now entertain regulary within the home.” Kenny, Volunteer
