Islanders will be able to enjoy spectacular sea views over St Aubin’s Bay from the gardens of a residential care home when Jersey’s first-ever National Garden Scheme garden officially opens to the public next month.
The gardens at Stuart Court Residential Care Home will welcome visitors on Sunday 7 June from 10.30am to 4.30pm as part of the UK-wide initiative, which gives people access to private gardens while raising money for charities through admission fees, teas and cakes.
National Garden Scheme chief executive Richard Claxton recently visited the island to tour the site ahead of its launch.
Mr Claxton, a former doctor with three decades of experience in medicine, has long promoted the benefits of nature-based therapies for both patients and healthcare professionals.
Before becoming chief executive of the National Garden Scheme, he founded the charity Gardening4Health and launched an NHS therapy garden in Tonbridge, Kent, in 2023. He has also written for Gardens Illustrated and Hortus Journal, guided visitors at Sissinghurst Castle Garden and served as a trustee of Greenfingers Charity.
During his visit to Jersey, Mr Claxton was shown around Stuart Court and the Government House gardens, which are also set to open under the scheme next year.
Speaking during his visit, Mr Claxton described the initiative as “a lovely sort of feel-good story” centred on generosity and community spirit.
“There’s a sort of circular thing, and it’s particularly true in the Channel Islands,” he said.
“It’s the only team of volunteers in the country for the scheme who are exclusively recipients of our beneficiary money.”
Beneficiaries of the scheme include the Queen’s Nurse network, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, Carers Trust, Parkinson’s UK, Horatio’s Garden, Maggie’s, Army Benevolent Fund and Country Trust.
Elaine Jackson, who is both the home manager at Stuart Court and a Queen’s Nurse, said the event reflected the home’s role within the wider community.
“At its heart, Stuart Court is a home – and this event is about opening our doors, sharing our gardens, and celebrating community,” she explained.
“We would love to welcome as many people as possible on 7 June to enjoy the gardens and support a wonderful cause.”
She added that volunteers from Acorn and Jersey Employment Trust would be helping prepare the gardens ahead of the opening.