Bringing Gardens to Life at Southbridge Care Home

Madi, Erica & Kate adding dirt to a gardening bed.

On Tuesday, June 17th, it was all hands on deck at the Southbridge Care Home in Goderich as the Cultivating Memories project took root! With the help of Madi, Kate, Erica, Karissa, and Dan, six accessible raised garden beds were transported and filled with fresh soil: one for each of the five resident balconies and another in the main courtyard. These new garden spaces are ready for planting. In the coming weeks, residents will play an active role in deciding what to grow. 

The goal of the Cultivating Memories project is to enhance the well-being of long-term care residents by reconnecting them with nature through accessible gardening. By creating meaningful opportunities for sensory engagement, physical activity, and social connection, the project fosters joy, reminiscence, and a sense of purpose for older adults, many of whom have deep-rooted ties to rural and agricultural life. 

This project is generously funded by the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, with additional support from Canadian Tire in Goderich, who kindly donated eight bags of soil to help bring the gardens to life. Gateway CERH is proud to be expanding this initiative to the Southbridge Care Home this summer. Stay tuned for updates as the gardens grow and new memories are made.