Bringing Joy Through Flowers: Wellbeing Sessions for Care Homes by Caroline Benham
As a budding flower farmer, I’m passionate about sharing the beauty of locally grown flowers with those who can benefit from them the most.
That’s why I’ve created Flowers for Wellbeing activity sessions for care homes in the Northamptonshire area. These sessions provide a unique opportunity for residents to enjoy nature, express their creativity, and feel a sense of calm, all through the simple yet powerful act of flower arranging.
Flowers have a magical ability to brighten a room and lift spirits, and the process of arranging them can have profound benefits for care home residents.
Here are just a few ways that flower arranging contributes to wellbeing:
Connection with Nature: Many residents may no longer have the opportunity to spend sufficient time outdoors, but flower arranging brings nature inside. Working with flowers allows them to feel more connected to the natural world, even within a care setting.
Sensory Stimulation: The vibrant colours, soft textures, and fragrant scents of flowers provide wonderful sensory experiences. For residents with dementia or other cognitive impairments, this kind of sensory engagement can be especially soothing and rewarding.
Mindfulness and Relaxation: Flower arranging encourages focus and concentration, making it a mindful activity that can help reduce feelings of anxiety or stress. The gentle, repetitive motions of handling flowers and arranging them in a pleasing way is meditative, helping residents to relax and enjoy the present moment.
Creativity and Personal Expression: One of the most wonderful aspects of flower arranging is that there’s no right or wrong way to do it. Residents can express their unique personalities and tastes through their arrangements, creating something beautiful and personal that they can be proud of.
Social Interaction: Group flower arranging sessions provide a great opportunity for residents to interact with one another. They can share stories, talk about their favourite flowers, and offer each other encouragement and compliments on their work, fostering a sense of community and connection.
What to Expect from a Session
During a Flowers for Wellbeing session, residents are given a selection of locally grown flowers and a jam jar (which I supply) to create their arrangement. The session is designed to be accessible to all abilities, whether a resident prefers to select just a few blooms or create something more elaborate, everyone is encouraged to take part at their own pace.
The sessions typically last about an hour, during which residents enjoy the tactile experience of handling the flowers and using their creativity to make an arrangement that they can keep. The finished jam jar displays can then be placed in their rooms or communal spaces, adding a touch of beauty and colour to their environment.
One of the things that makes Flowers for Wellbeing special is the use of locally grown, seasonal flowers. Not only does this support sustainable, eco-friendly practices, but it also means that each session features flowers that are fresh and unique to the time of year. Residents can enjoy the colours and textures of seasonal blooms, making each session feel special and connected to the changing seasons.
Book a Session
If you’d like to bring the joy of flower arranging to your care home, I’d love to hear from you! My Flowers for Wellbeing sessions are available to care homes in the Northamptonshire area, and I’m happy to work with you to tailor the session to the needs of your residents.
Prices start at £80
To book a session or find out more, please contact me info@brightcopperkettles.co.uk. Let’s brighten up your care home with the natural beauty of flowers!
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