A nationwide gardening contest organised by Radis Community Care brought together residents and care teams from schemes in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Norfolk and Reading.
The competition formed part of National Gardening Week and encouraged participants to spend time outdoors while growing plants together.
Two Oxfordshire extra care housing schemes, Fern Meadows and Petypher House, received top honours.
Broadcaster and gardener Mark Lane served as judge for every category and assessed the range of projects entered across the competition.
Mark Lane said research indicates that contact with gardens, nature and outdoor environments can benefit physical and mental wellbeing.
He also valued the opportunity to see what participants had achieved and noted that gardening can be practised both individually and collaboratively.
According to him, the residents demonstrated an enthusiasm for ornamental plants and edible crops, with every entrant deserving recognition.
The contest, titled Growing Well with Radis, covered four areas: best overall garden, best planter, best kerb appeal and best vegetable plot.
Nigel Richens, a resident at one of the recognised schemes, said the result reflected the effort involved and gave him confidence that he could still perform a job he had previously loved to a reasonable standard despite using a wheelchair.
He also said participation had created a strong sense of achievement among the gardeners at Petypher House and illustrated that disability does not prevent people from undertaking rewarding activities.
Radis Community Care introduced the contest earlier in the year through its National Gardening Week programme.
Rachel Brooks-O’Dell, the organisation’s regional manager and project lead, explained that gardening offers more than an attractive outdoor space: it can foster accomplishment, participation and shared activity.
The purpose of Growing Well with Radis was therefore not to identify a flawless garden, but to recognise the personal stories connected with each project.
Brooks-O’Dell added that the initiative had highlighted an important aspect of care.
Support should not consist solely of doing things for people; it can also involve giving them chances to contribute, work alongside others and feel included in a shared endeavour.
Residents of extra care housing retain their own front doors and independence while receiving levels of assistance suited to their individual requirements.
Certificates and garden centre vouchers were presented to the winners to acknowledge both their achievements and their involvement in the competition.