Celebrating a Win in Dobbies’ Community Garden Initiative

We’re thrilled to share some blooming wonderful news—Rubislaw Park Care Home has been named a winner in the Dobbies Community Garden Initiative!

The competition, run annually by Dobbies Garden Centres, supports local community projects by offering expert gardening guidance, tools, and funding to transform outdoor spaces. We are incredibly proud to be recognised in this nationwide initiative and even more excited about what’s to come.
Our Home Manager Kayleigh and Activities Manager Rosie had the honour of attending the awards ceremony to accept the prize on behalf of the entire Rubislaw Park team. They were both stunned and overjoyed to learn we had been selected, and they expressed deep gratitude to Dobbies for this fantastic opportunity.

A New Chapter for Our Sensory Garden

Thanks to this generous grant, our much-loved sensory garden—which sadly suffered significant damage during the harsh Scottish winter—will be completely revitalised. The expert team from Dobbies will not only help rebuild the space, but will also work closely with us to select low-maintenance, sensory-friendly plants that offer vibrant colour throughout the year and are well-suited to the local climate.

Most importantly, the redesigned space will be made fully dementia-friendly, offering a calming, engaging outdoor environment for residents living with dementia. Nature-based activities and access to outdoor spaces are known to support both the emotional and physical wellbeing of individuals with dementia, and we’re thrilled that our new garden will offer this vital resource.
Gardening with Purpose and Education

The support from Dobbies goes far beyond plants and materials. Their gardening experts will also provide ongoing education and practical tips to our staff and residents alike, ensuring we can maintain and enjoy our garden for many years to come. This collaborative approach is just one of the many reasons we’re so grateful to be partnering with such a community-minded organisation.

A Win for the Whole Rubislaw Community

This garden transformation will mean so much—not only to our residents and their families, but also to the wider Rubislaw Park Care Home community. Outdoor spaces like these provide valuable opportunities for sensory engagement, peaceful reflection, and meaningful social interaction.
We’re honoured to have been chosen for this incredible opportunity and can’t wait to share updates as the project unfolds.

From all of us at Rubislaw Park Care Home—thank you, Dobbies!