Our annual Great Active Rake Off Competition aims to encourage our services to transform their outdoor spaces, while also fostering collaboration and teamwork among colleagues, residents, patients, individuals we support, and their families and friends.
This year’s Great Active Rake Off has truly blossomed into something remarkable. We’ve seen the outdoor spaces come alive with colour and empty flowerbeds transformed into lush, life-filled gardens.
The goal was to create beautiful areas for everyone to enjoy during the summer months and beyond. Each winning service has received a monetary prize to spend on their service as they wish.
A team of judges from Active Care Group including, Keith Browner, Chief Executive Officer, Mike Aldridge, Chief Operating Officer, Karen Langton, Chief People Officer, Annie Booth, Managing Director – Hospitals and North Region and Erica Pryce, Managing Director – South Region, had the pleasure of selecting this year’s winners and runners-up from the finalists who shared their photos on our dedicated colleague app ECHO.
Each garden told its own story, not just of plants and patios, but of teamwork and shared joy. It is fantastic to see how these projects brought everyone together in such meaningful ways.
Overall Winner – Blackburn Road
Blackburn Road, our specialist residential care home for adults with mental health needs in Lancashire, has transformed its yard into a vibrant and joyful space.
Inspired by a beach theme, the team have created not one, but two stunning feature walls: one capturing the whimsical charm of life under the sea, and the other a cheerful beach hut scene, named 175 Blackburn Road.
To bring even more life and purpose to the space, the team also introduced a brand-new vegetable box and herb patch, giving residents the chance to grow, nurture, and enjoy fresh produce throughout the summer.
The residents at Blackburn Road are now planning to host a garden party and show off the space to their families.
Small Service Winner – Whalley Road
Whalley Road, our adult mental health care service in Lancashire, has turned a forgotten corner into a vibrant new garden. Using natural materials like sticks, shells, and stones, and inspired by peaceful walks in nature, the residents created meaningful art infused with personal stories and healing that now fills the space with colour.
The result is a peaceful, uplifting space that supports wellbeing and brings people together. The discovery of these talents was a delightful surprise and a testament to the transformative power of The Great Active Rake Off.
Small Service Runner Up – Buttons
Buttons, our specialist residential care service for children and young people in Wiltshire, took on a complete garden makeover, armed with trowels, paintbrushes, and plenty of sun cream. The team have transformed the space into a vibrant garden bursting with colour.
It’s now a place where flowers bloom, imaginations thrive, and memories are made, a true testament to the love and (slightly sunburnt) dedication of the Buttons team!
Medium Service Winner – Kingly House
Kingly House, our specialist neurological residential service for adults in Leicestershire, supported several residents with mini projects to enhance the overall appearance of the garden.
The service transformed part of the garden with a beautiful flowerbed and decorated the area with ornaments among the flowers and rockery. The garden was further enhanced with a planter that incorporated a shade-loving cordyline and was topped with stone chippings.
Thriving in the planter are tomatoes, strawberries, peppers, patio aubergine, thyme, bay leaves, parsley and chilli.
There’s a deep sense of pride in what Kingly House has achieved. As always, teamwork makes the dream work.
Medium Service Runner Up – Mayfield Road
Mayfield Road transformed their entire garden into a multi-use space, featuring sensory areas, floral beds, vegetable patches, chill-out zones, and party spots, all complete with sensory lighting for nighttime use.
Our residential service for adults with autism and learning disabilities in Surrey encouraged ongoing involvement from the individuals we support, resulting in positive changes in their wellbeing and engagement.
Their families were delighted to see their loved ones actively participating, making the garden a true source of pride.
Large Service Winner – Nottingham
Residents at our Nottingham Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre shared a clear vision: a quiet, private garden where they could relax, entertain family, and enjoy moments of peace. Thanks to the dedication of Michelle, the service Activities Coordinator, that vision has come to life.
What was once unused grassland has been transformed into a tranquil, accessible space, complete with wide paths for powered chairs and a bench for others to enjoy. Residents painted decorative rocks to be placed throughout the garden, each one leaving a small message of hope and connection for future visitors.
Bright hanging baskets now welcome everyone at both entrances, and Clematis Montana climbs gracefully along the perimeter wall.
Large Service Runner Up – King’s Norton Hospital
King’s Norton Hospital, our acute mental health service that supports adults with severe and complex mental health conditions in Birmingham, transformed their space into a vibrant therapeutic garden.
The space has been designed to stimulate all eight sensory systems, supporting recovery, learning, and overall wellbeing.
The space now features colourful herb trellises, tactile surfaces, fragrant plants, edible gardens, wildlife zones, and sensory lighting, all crafted with sustainability in mind using reclaimed materials.
Activities like planting, exploring, and simply being present in the space encourage physical movement and mindfulness.
In total, 22 services took on the challenge of transforming their outdoor spaces as part of the Great Active Rake-off. While we proudly announced our winners and runners-up, every single entry deserves recognition. Each garden represents not just flowers and foliage, but the care, teamwork, and creativity that have been poured into making these spaces come to life.
We have continued to make significant investment across our estate. This competition is designed to build on that momentum, encouraging teams to invest time and energy in creating inviting, therapeutic, and vibrant environments for the people in our care and colleagues alike.
We want to express our gratitude to all the participants and teams for their tireless efforts and dedication in creating such magical spaces.