A CARE home in Wotton-under-Edge has made its garden more pleasant and accessible for its residents thanks to a £9,300 grant.

Kingswood Lodge care home has installed a new wooden gazebo, garden furniture and a gas barbecue. Raised beds have also been introduced so residents in wheelchairs can enjoy and tend to the plants and flowers.

Helen O’Connor, of Kingswood Lodge, said: "The forecasters have predicted a long, hot summer so hopefully the residents will really feel the benefit of all the improvements we have made to the garden this year."

A reminiscence room has also been added thanks to the grant. It features pictures of Wotton-under-Edge and the surrounding area over the years, a harmonium, posters and signs advertising products from the past and other objects designed to encourage residents to talk to each other about their life experiences and share their stories.

Tony Hicks, Gloucestershire County Council’s lead cabinet member for community and adult care, said: "Older people in our county deserve only the very best care and while we are investing £50million into building new care homes throughout the county, it is also vital that there is investment into existing homes.

"It is wonderful to hear about these imaginative, thoughtful projects that are clearly improving the lives of care home residents."