Home’s growth industry

If you say the words “self sufficiency” to people of a certain age, one of the first things that comes to mind is the 1970s TV comedy The Good Life.

Fast-forward to 2025 and Two Acres Care Home, in Taverham, is living its own Good Life, with a gardening enterprise which is both therapeutic and lucrative.

From small beginnings when one of the residents used his love of gardening to recover from a major illness, the home now has its own stall, selling plants grown by residents.

They plant the seeds and bulbs, nurture the plants and then enjoy the benefits of the money they helped to raise.

This project was designed and continues to be developed by Two Acres training co-ordinator Pam Fulcher.

Her enthusiasm and keenness to get all the residents involved makes this a positive project for the home, said activities team leader Keith Snell.

With the help of donated items from families and friends, the planting begins indoors so people who would find it hard to work outside can also join in.

Pam then helps others to bring them on and turn them into sellable plants.

“Residents not involved in planning and planting always comment on how nice things look when outside,” said Keith.

“It’s always so rewarding to see a trolley outside with items for sale, knowing how much effort has gone on to reach this point and how everyone is able to enjoy the rewards these sales bring.”

He said the stall was well supported by visitors and was also popular with Taverham residents who stopped as they passed.

“We always make a point of passing all the positive comments we receive from the project back to the residents involved.”