A care home’s garden was transformed into a glowing winter wonderland.
Colten Care’s Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst, New Forest, welcomed around 130 guests for its fifth annual Festival of Light, raising more than £350 for Olivia Inspires.
The charity supports young people in the New Forest who are facing financial hardship.
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The event raised £350 for Olivia Inspires. (Image: Philip Hartley)
The garden was filled with illuminated displays and colourful installations, including stained glass-style stars and hanging ‘botanical’ lanterns, which residents had decorated earlier in arts and crafts sessions.
Margaret Wirgman, a resident who attended the event with her husband George, said: “We surpassed previous years’ festivals. I’m not sure how we can top it next year.”
Jane Bunker, companionship team leader at Woodpeckers, said the event offered an uplifting and sustainable alternative to traditional fireworks.
Ms Bunker said: “Once again, the festival provided an uplifting and sustainable alternative to traditional fireworks events at this time of year.
“Our residents played a key role in creating the displays, which were all designed and built using reused, repurposed, and natural materials.”
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Visitors contributed to the fundraising through the purchase of hot chocolate and biscuits. (Image: Philip Hartley)
The botanical lanterns were made using leaves and flower heads collected from the garden and sandwiched between laminated pouches.
Ms Bunker also thanked Sunnyfields Farm in Totton for donating pumpkins, which residents carved and lit up with candles along the garden’s woodland walk.
Visitors contributed to the fundraising total through the purchase of hot chocolate and biscuits, with all proceeds going to Olivia Inspires.
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