A CARE home granted the wishes of its nature-loving residents by installing an eco-garden to attract wildlife.

Churchfields Care Home in Cassington designed and built the accessible meadow and prairie area to encourage people to spend more time outside.

The West Oxfordshire home selected more than 1,500 types of plants and flowers to attract bees, butterflies, birds and hedgehogs, which will enable residents to observe wildlife as they make their way through the garden.

Read also: Surgeries create healthy havens for bees

Churchfields owner, Jane Roberts, revealed staff and residents were already making the most of the new facility.

She said: “This is a project that has taken considerable thought and planning.

"We are hoping that bringing wildlife back into the garden will give residents a purpose when enjoying time outside.

"Some of our residents are keen gardeners and wildlife lovers, and we listened to their requests when thinking about the design of the garden.

“Our new gardener is passionate about involving residents in all aspects of the garden. To see everyone’s enthusiasm and enjoyment is wonderful.”

Read also: Car-free days suggested at public meeting on Witney's climate emergency

The meadow and prairie area features paths leading to bird boxes, surrounded by hedgehog homes and a range of plants and flowers.

Other improvements planned for the garden are an allotment area and summer house.

Residents Michael and Amoy are among those already enjoying the the garden, which has become part of their daily lives.

Michael has begun taking his birdwatching book to the courtyard so he can spot creatures on his very own bird feeders.

He said: “I think that the first birds to visit will be wagtails, but I’m not sure. I’m looking forward to watching them and seeing who comes first.”

Read also: Eynsham residents told to ditch 'blue-sky thinking' over A40 plans

Meanwhile, Amoy likes to be taken to the garden every day to watch flowers develop and is enjoying being in the midst of nature.

She added: “It’s just beautiful. It’s lovely to see the flowers growing from the home, but it’s not until you come and sit amongst it that you really get a true feeling of what the garden is all about. It’s very special.”

Witney MP Robert Courts and Barbara Mason, chairman of the Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, will be visiting the garden on Friday, September 6, for a celebratory event.

Churchfields is a family-owned home offering residential and nursing care for older people.

It has 31 single ensuite rooms and two shared rooms.

For more information, or to take a look around, call 01865 88140 or visit churchfieldscarehome.co.uk/.