Residents at a care home in Solihull are feeling rosy after
being presented with a donation of plants from the popular BBC
Gardeners' World Live exhibition.
Silver Birches, managed by not-for-profit Accord Housing
Association, has received a selection of shrubs, plants and flowers
left over from the show, which took place at Birmingham's NEC in
June.
The care home in Chelmsley Wood was chosen to receive the
donation by the NEC as part of a project with Solihull Sustain, a
support service for voluntary and community groups in the area.
Hundreds of plants and gardens were on display at BBC Gardeners'
World Live, as well as demonstrations from gardening experts that
included Monty Don, Alan Titchmarsh and Carol Klein. The
exhibition attracts more than 100,000 visitors each year.
Rebecca Freeman, Assistant Manager of Silver Birches, said:
"We are incredibly grateful to the NEC for this very kind
donation and to Solihull Sustain for nominating us. The plants and
shrubs will make our garden look great for the summer and create an
enjoyable and tranquil space for our residents to enjoy."
Gary Masters, Venue Management at the NEC Group, said: "Team NEC
were keen to put their skills to good use in the community and with
the help of Sustain we identified this wonderful project. We will
continue to look for other opportunities to put the vast array of
Team NEC experience and skills to good use on other future
community projects."
Dave Pinwell, CEO of Sustain, said: "This is a great example of
the business and community sector in Solihull working together. Not
only has the NEC hosted a very popular and successful exhibition
but has arranged for it to leave a legacy which will be enjoyed by
some of the elderly residents for years to come. We are delighted
to have played a small part in making this happen."
Sprucing up of the Silver Birches' garden was carried out by
members of 'Team NEC' last week. The NEC Estates Manager Ross James
led the project and the Estates team spent three days planting and
arranging the leftover greenery at the home's dedicated outdoor
space in Tyne Close.
The NEC also purchased and donated an additional large quantity
of plants and mulch to further enhance the garden.
Silver Birches is a residential care home that provides care and
support for people aged 65 and over. It is managed by Accord
Housing Association, which provides services at more than 50 sites
across the West Midlands.