Dougie Mac scoops TWO major gardening awards

Green-fingered Vicki Stephenson is celebrating after scooping TWO prestigious awards in a Royal Horticultural Society competition.

Dougie Mac Adult and Children and Young Adult gardens received ‘outstanding’ in the Heart of England in Bloom It’s Your Neighbourhood awards lead by the RHS.

Gardening Coordinator at Dougie Mac, Vicki – who has a team of volunteers to help her in the gardens – accepted the awards during a special ceremony held at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, Worcestershire, retaining the outstanding achievement which was also awarded last year.

As well as overseeing the work the volunteers do in the hospice grounds – such as mowing, planting and tidying – Vicki also has a kitchen garden where she grows produce which is then used by the chef at the hospice.

The grounds at Children’s Services also include elevated beds allowing children in wheelchairs to access the gardens where they can help plant and pick a range of fruit, vegetables and herbs. There is also an immersive sensory garden for the children to enjoy.

The It’s Your Neighbourhood awards are based on three criteria:

1. Horticultural Achievement
2. Environmental
3. Community participation

Our gardens not only provide a place to reflect and relax, but they also offer a fantastic space for our children and young adults to experience the beauty in nature, play and have fun.

Vicki said “To be able to retain our outstanding award is testament to the hard work of all the volunteers, our loyal long-standing regulars and our many corporate groups.  I am proud of each and every one of them.”