Brampton Manor Plants Community Orchard
Residents and Team at Brampton Manor care home rolled up their sleeves and braved damp February weather to plant five fruit trees in the home’s gardens, marking a new community partnership with Newmarket Community Nature Reserve and connecting the care home to the town’s growing network of green spaces.
The tree planting initiative brings together multiple generations while linking Brampton Manor’s established gardening programmes, including an allotment, vegetable patch, and new greenhouse, with Newmarket Community Nature Reserve’s mission to create a green corridor across the town through gardens, balconies, and allotments that bring fresh, homegrown fruit and produce to local residents.
The partnership came about after Laura from Newmarket Community Nature Reserve noticed Brampton Manor’s involvement with the National Open Garden Scheme and their active social media presence showcasing previous community projects, including collaborative intergenerational planting with St Louis School. The five fruit trees were donated as part of the reserve’s pledge to support community spaces in growing fresh produce and connecting people through gardening projects.
“We’re working to redefine what a nature reserve can be, not just a distant protected area, but woven right through our community,” said Laura from Newmarket Community Nature Reserve. “Brampton Manor’s gardens are a perfect example of a green space that serves people while supporting nature. These fruit trees will feed residents and wildlife for decades to come, and we’re proud to have them as part of our growing green corridor.”
Residents from across Brampton Manor participated in the planting day, getting their hands dirty digging holes, placing the young trees, and working alongside staff in the February chill. The active participation is key to the therapeutic value of the project.
“Days like this are what we’re all about,” said Valda, Activities Lead at Brampton Manor. “Watching residents get stuck in, working together, knowing these trees will be here for years to come, that’s special. It’s not just about planting trees; it’s about giving people purpose and connection to something bigger than themselves.”
Danny, Admissions Manager at Brampton Manor, added: “This partnership shows what can happen when local organisations recognise what we’re trying to build here. We’re not just a care home sitting behind closed doors, we’re part of this community, and projects like this prove it”
The initiative held particular meaning for long-standing residents Ken and Peter, who regularly participate in the home’s weekly baking sessions and have developed a deep appreciation for the gardens and the fresh produce they provide. Both residents have spoken about how much they value what the gardens offer and their excitement about incorporating homegrown fruit into their beloved baking activities in years to come.
The newly planted fruit trees will become a talking point and living community project, with residents, families, and visitors able to watch them grow, blossom, and eventually harvest fresh fruit for use in the home’s kitchen and baking sessions. The trees also contribute to the home’s connection with Newmarket’s wider environmental network, demonstrating how care settings can play an active role in community green initiatives.
“Creating strong links with our community is a vital part of life here at Brampton Manor,” said Akhi, Home Manager. “Our gardens aren’t just nice to look at, they’re working spaces that offer calm, purpose, and real engagement for residents. This partnership takes that to another level and shows we’re genuinely part of Newmarket’s green future.”
The project connects directly to Boutique Care Homes’ Life Enrichment Programme, which focuses on holistic wellbeing through activities that nurture mind, body, and soul. Research shows that therapeutic gardening in care settings reduces stress and anxiety while giving residents a sense of purpose. For those living with dementia, the Social Care Institute for Excellence notes that spending time in dementia-friendly gardens helps residents “relax and feel calm” while being “less likely to become agitated and distressed.”
Active participation in gardening, from planting to nurturing to harvesting, supports fine and gross motor skills that are vital for maintaining independence, while also encouraging reminiscence and social connection. The gardens at Brampton Manor provide these therapeutic experiences and meaningful activities that support residents’ emotional and physical health across all six principles of wellbeing: Connect, Move, Feel, Reflect, Grow, and Contribute.
Future plans include incorporating the harvested fruit into cooking and baking sessions, continuing to strengthen ties between the care home and Newmarket’s environmental initiatives, and exploring additional collaborative intergenerational projects with the nature reserve and local schools.
For more information about Brampton Manor or to arrange a visit, contact the team at www.bramptonmanor.care .