The Mini PA on Tour stop at Sabarmati House was a blooming success – quite literally!
On a sweltering hot August afternoon, residents and colleagues happily came together to pot 15 beautiful flower arrangements that brightened both their faces and the communal garden for months to come.
The event was set up earlier in the day by Sharan, your Neighbourhood Coordinator (NC), supported by colleagues from Neighbourhoods, Antisocial Behaviour and Tenancy Sustainment teams. Together they put up a gazebo, laid out tables and organised refreshments, making sure everything was ready for residents to enjoy. This collaboration across PA teams made sure the day ran smoothly and reflected our resident-first approach in action.
While Sharan supported residents indoors, colleagues rolled up their sleeves outside, preparing the pots using safety tools to drill holes in the bottom and fill the pots with soil, so that residents could focus on the fun part, bringing their gardening creativity to life. Residents appreciated this practical help, with one saying, “We’re very grateful that the heavier bits were done for us,” And another resident who said, “It’s a great idea to help each other like this.”
The activity also provided a chance for neighbours to share their skills and experiences.
“It was great getting to help the others who don’t know how to garden. I loved gardening when I was younger!” Said another resident. This exchange of knowledge and joy highlighted the vibrancy of the Sabarmati House community.
The event wasn’t only about gardening. It was also about connection and support. Rebecca from our Tenancy Sustainment Team met with a resident who had some concerns, with Sharan’s multilingual skills helping to bridge a language barrier. This immediate face to face support showed residents that PA is accessible and responsible, while giving colleagues valuable insight into the challenges residents experience.
As the afternoon unfolded, the benefits of coming together became clear. Residents who may often feel isolated had the chance to socialise, laugh, and build connections with neighbours and staff. The shared activity boosted wellbeing, trust, and created new opportunities for dialogue about services and support.
By the end of the day, Sabarmati House’s garden was bursting with colour, and residents were proud of what they had achieved.
“I’m so happy with the flowers,” Another resident commented. “It’ll be so lovely to come out here and sit on our new benches to admire them when they bloom.”
Reflecting on the event, Sharan said:
“Today wouldn’t have been the success it was without everyone who got together and helped by offering their skillsets and time to be there for the residents, so thank you all for your organisation and hard work.”
The success of this Mini PA on Tour stop demonstrates exactly what these events are about: building trust, celebrating neighbourhoods, reinforcing our resident-first values, and creating opportunities to improve services in real time. For residents of Independent Living schemes like Sabarmati House, where loneliness can be a real challenge, events like this help to remind you, our residents, that you are part of a supportive and vibrant community.
A massive thank you to everyone who came along, seeing all these happy faces made the day truly special. Take a look at some more of the photos from the day!
Would you like to get involved and join the fun at events like this one? Find your Neighbourhood Coordinator using the handy postcode search to see what events PA and other local organisations are holding in your area!
