Just a few years ago, the garden at Tenby Day Centre was a patch of overgrown land; covered in weeds and unused.

But thanks to the hard work of green-fingered staff and people who access the day centre, the area has blossomed into a beautiful, plant-filled haven of peace – and won a prestigious award!

Cultivation Street, a national campaign to promote Britain’s community gardeners, has announced Tenby Day Centre as winners of the best garden in Wales and Northern Ireland, with the prize of £1,000 and 100 geranium plants.

Sing Taylor, the centre’s Senior Carer, said everyone was delighted at the news, and planning where to plant the geraniums!

The ambitious project began when Sing together with other staff members Jane Hammerton and Lorraine Lewis set about clearing the outdoor space to create a garden for all to enjoy and look after - roping in help from family and volunteers, including the centre’s bus driver, Bert Dix.

The aim was to transform it into valuable sensory space for all older people including those with dementia and physical disabilities

Since then, the older people and staff have created a bright and welcoming garden filled with colourful, wonderful-smelling pots and plants - with gardeners ranging from 46 to 97 years old!

The centre, which is run by Pembrokeshire County Council, is thriving with enthusiasm since introducing gardening as an activity, says Sara Colwill, Day Centre Services Manager.

“Older people have a lot of gardening knowledge and this makes the project so much fun and great way to learn new things,” she said.

Everyone gets involved in the work, from planting sweet peas seedlings or beans to potting on, weeding and watering. Recently they created a Mediterranean area and they are currently making a giant pumpkin patch to keep the interest in gardening into the autumn and winter.

When the weather is poor, planting is done indoors, with pots moved around on a trolley and the odd wheelchair used for bags of compost - and the garden even looks cheerful on a rainy winter’s day thanks to the vibrant colours of the plants and the bunting. At Christmas, it is decorated with fairy lights, making it look extra special.

The garden is also a sanctuary for birds with lots of feeders dotted amongst the trees and foliage; and in colder months, a hidden camera in a nest enables everyone to watch the birds on a television screen in the centre, hatching their chicks and feeding them.

The gardening has also been enjoyed by older people from the Lee Davies day centre in Narberth, who often join together with Tenby for activities.

Sing said everyone had really benefited from the project.

“We’ve had a lot of fun, and it means that the older people are now sitting outside more and enjoying the fresh air, which enriches their day; and because it’s next to Tenby Cottage Hospital, there are also lots of people visiting there who pop in to see us and have a cuppa in the garden because it’s so pleasant. It works out really well,” she said.

“We’ve also had some fantastic support from the community including the Lions of Tenby, who have donated baskets and seeds.”

Sara added: “The garden is a space enjoyed all year round and is very much an extension of the day centre; in the warmer weather the doors are open with a gazebo, with garden seating providing a space for people to sit, enjoy a cup of tea, and be involved in gardening tasks.

“Sing, Jayne and Lorraine are all very creative and are constantly finding ways of adding to the garden to make it a great space for older people to spend time.”