One of the favourite activities for our clients and Care Professionals is to take a trip to a local garden centre.
Companionship lies at the heart of what we do, and it’s not just about offering a friendly face; it’s about promoting a healthier, happier life for our older adults.
Loneliness can take a toll on health and well-being, but we’re here to change that.
One of the favourite activities for our clients and Care Professionals is to take a trip to a local garden centre.
We know how beneficial it is to connect with nature, but for some of our clients it’s not always possible to take a walk in the park. Walking through the trees and plants on the way to an inviting coffee shop definitely has a positive effect on one’s mental well-being.
We’re extremely lucky to have some fabulous garden centres within a 10 mile radius of our Office in Nutfield, near Redhill, Surrey.
Here are a few of our favourites.
Our closest garden centre to us is the magnificent Priory Farm. It’s a family run business with everything you’d expect from a garden centre and so much more.
Having enjoyed a hot drink you can amble round the award-winning Farm Shop, which offers seasonal fruit and vegetables, a wonderful butchery, plus delicious cheeses, cakes and deli treats.
And if you’re stuck for a birthday present the Gift Barn has an array of inspiration from cake tins and tea pots to beautiful, scented candles and something for the grandchildren too.
Another favourite for our Care Professionals to take their clients to is Knights Garden Centre at Nags Hall.
This is also a family run business. In fact, it was the original family home of Charles Knight himself.
Knights at Nag Hall is set in the rolling hills of the surrey countryside and features a beautifully preserved Victorian walled garden and surrounded by historic woodland.
The colourful displays of plants and trees are a feast for the eyes.
No visit to a garden centre is complete without a visit to the coffee shop. The Potting Shed Coffee Shop serves delicious cakes, sandwiches, quiche, soup and ploughman’s.
And if you want something a little more substantial there’s always the award-winning Walled Garden Restaurant with a menu that changes with the seasons.
Not quite a garden centre, but a favourite of ours to visit is Flower Farm, just east of Godstone with a backdrop of the North Downs in Surrey.
The award-winning Farm shop is a foody feast for the eyes. Beautiful displays of the finest quality fresh fruit and vegetables set the taste buds tingling.
You can also purchase locally reared meats in the butchery, freshly laid eggs and a wonderful variety of handmade delicatessen treats.
When the legs need a little rest the Flower Farm Bistro is the perfect spot with a tempting menu for breakfast, mid-morning coffee or tea and sweet treats and at lunchtime there’s a varied menu including farm salads, ploughman’s and even mouth watering gourmet burgers and pizzas.
A little trip out and change of scenery really does boost the spirits.
Our clients never tire from visiting our local garden centres and farm shops as they change with the seasons.
The potted plants for outdoors may not be on show in the winter, but the festive season brings a completely different atmosphere with jingle bells and carols to hum along to, twinkling lights all around and the scent of pine from the Christmas trees waiting to be taken home and decorated.
The sights, sounds, and smells at a garden centre really do create a feeling of relaxation and reduces stress. For our elderly clients, spending time in such an environment is calming and extremely enjoyable in the company of their regular Care Professional.
If bringing some light and joy to a lonely person, by taking them to a garden centre, is something that appeals to you, then please contact Lindsey Blake on 01737 529793, as we are always looking to welcome Care Professionals to our team, which means together we can help more people.