Communal garden wins Terry award

Terry Stephens, a resident at the bpha retirement housing scheme Queens Court, was nominated by a fellow resident for the award.

Every year, bpha runs a competition to find the best kept gardens amongst their 17,000 plus homes and this year the focus was on the best communal and general gardens.

Terry said: “I enjoy working in the garden because it brings people out of their flats - 50% of the residents here come out and enjoy the garden. There is nothing worse than being stuck in your flat alone. Community is what it’s all about.”

Marie Taylor, head of supported and retirement housing, said: “Terry has made big difference to his home by creating a wonderful garden which all his fellow neighbours can enjoy. We’re really pleased to recognise his hard work and we always want to encourage all residents to take pride in their outside areas. We hope that other residents will be inspired by Terry to have a go in their gardens too.”

bpha is based in Bedford and operates between Oxford and Cambridge.

The group owns more than 17,000 homes and employs around 340 staff.

Last year, bpha employees and resident volunteers donated more than 4,700 hours on community projects.