Royston Jenner
What’s your role at St Martins?
I do the gardening and keep the garden looking nice and I absolutely love it.
Residents are always saying:“What are you doing out there?” and I say “I’m keeping the garden looking nice, so that when you look out the window or go outside you’ll have flowers to enjoy.”
I do everything from hanging up baskets to planting new bulbs and plants. I saw a spare flower bed not being used so I’ve grown some vegetables which means residents can enjoy them.
When it snowed I would come down to clear the paths and put salt down. The Home Manager, Jan says that it’s up to me what I do but I like to take her lead.
What do you enjoy about being a volunteer gardener?
I absolutely love it. Jan’s brilliant, I couldn’t ask for a better lady. Everyone at St Martins is lovely, I’m very fond of the residents and I’m going to see if I can also be a volunteer reader for them. I get quite attached to them and even get to know the resident’s family.
On TV you often see residential homes being given a bad name but all the residents here are so well cared for and looked after. The food is first class too! I can’t eat pork so if I’m ever down when they’re having that the Chef will always provide something else for me.
Why did you start volunteering?
I’d retired and was utterly fed up. My wife went down the local GP and they asked her what was wrong and she said she was fine but that I wasn’t. They suggested to her that I volunteer next door at St Martins. I went down and met Jan and that’s how it all started. I’ve been there for two years now and visit nearly everyday.