A sunny start to FitzRoy in Bloom

I manage two supported living homes in Nottingham for people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs. Our outdoor space is quite limited and underused, so I’d been thinking about how we could make the most of it. Nothing too adventurous, just making the garden a nicer spot where people could enjoy sitting outside. With support from our fundraising team, we’ve started making a few changes, including raised beds, somewhere to sit and lighting.

We’re also growing sunflowers.

Everyone has planted their own sunflower and since then, people have just got into the habit of checking them and there’s been a bit of competition about whose is growing the fastest.

Not everyone was interested straightaway. There was one person who didn’t want to join in at first, but a few days later they were outside for most of the afternoon, chatting with everyone and getting involved.

Another person told us that being able to focus on their sunflower helped them through a difficult day. They said it stopped them from hurting themselves that day. That has really stayed with me, that something so simple as a packet of seeds can have such a huge impact.

It’s also changed how the garden feels, as people are outside socialising more.

I’ve started a bit of a sunflower competition here, and I’d love people across FitzRoy and beyond to join in. Just plant a seed and see how it gets on.

FitzRoy in Bloom – our celebration of nature and creativity – is a running across FitzRoy throughout May and June, with a focus on “one plant, one pot” – and we have already got cracking!