Aliwal Manor residents grow and cook their own runner beans
Many of the people living at Aliwal Manor Care Home enjoy growing their own vegetables at the home. Some of the residents even ran their own allotments in the past, so over time it is something they have become very passionate about.
At the beginning of the year, Lifestyle Coordinator Sarah had a meeting with the residents to discuss what types of vegetables they would like to grow this year. Many vegetables were suggested and runner beans in particular ranked highly on the list.
The residents started growing their runner beans back in May on their window sills; which they then planted in June. Residents such as Rita have enjoyed watching them grow around the bamboo canes and netting. With much love and care, as well as some decent weather for harvesting, the residents have since managed to get a magnificent crop of runner beans.
Recently, residents Rita and Connie went and picked a large batch for everyone’s lunch on that day. Thelma, who also lives at the home, said that she enjoys cutting up the runner bean and so, was designated for that task. The group then asked the chef if they could have some white sauce to accompany the beans.
Later on, the residents eagerly waited around the lunch table to taste their crop of runner beans. Everyone at the table said that they really enjoyed them, with one person saying he could “taste the freshness” and that they “tasted so much better knowing that they had been grown at the home.”
The team at Aliwal Manor loves to encourage activities such as this, as they provide a boost to wellbeing for the residents and afterwards, they always feel a great sense of achievement.