Green thumbed residents and staff at Melbourne aged care home, Mercy Place Abbotsford, have welcomed the change of season with the launch of an exciting new gardening project.
Partnering with Cultivating Community, a local not-for-profit organisation that works with communities to create fair, secure and resilient food systems, the innovative sustainable gardening project gives residents and staff the opportunity to plant a range of vegetables, herbs, succulents and flowers in their backyard, and watch them grow throughout the season.
Kicked off with assistance from the nearby early learning centre, the project and partnership has been made possible through the Mercy Health Residential Aged Care Innovation Fund.
Mercy Place Abbotsford Acting Service Manager, Rose Tunious said this hands-on project was a great way for residents to embrace the warmer weather.
“This kind of project promotes socialisation, exercise and intergenerational engagement. All of which has a positive impact on the wellbeing of residents living at our home.
“Mercy Place Abbotsford has an ongoing relationship with the neighbouring University of Melbourne Early Learning Centre and we’re thrilled to introduce an intergenerational element to the project. Children can learn about food sustainability and help residents water and harvest the vegetables.
“We’re always looking for ways to make our activities more innovative, and continuously working towards improving the health and wellbeing outcomes for all of our residents.”
The Mercy Health Residential Aged Care Innovation Fund saw each of the 22 Mercy Health residential aged care homes receive $1,000 towards an innovative activity or project.
Download full media release ( PDF, 205.6K )Last reviewed April 12, 2018.
