Gardens in Bloom 🪻

We understand the importance our surroundings play on our overall wellbeing. At our Head Office in Enderby. Tom and his team work hard to maintain and enhance our site wherever possible and if there is a nook or cranny where a plant can be added they'll pop one in. Carl works hard to fill these spaces with seasonal blooms. He advised that we have a few weeks left to view this beautiful purple hydrangea. He'll spend this weekend planting so if you visit Head Office Campus please do take in the sights.

Our nursery at Head Office 'Next Steps' has some wonderful outdoor spaces where our little ones are able to play and learn. Michaela, 'Next Steps' manager said she is proud that they are able to offer opportunities for the children to be in nature, from planting and watching things grow, to experiencing adventurous play with their new climbing wall. And for that all important downtime, story time in the garden.

Jason White CSR Advisor E3 shares their outdoor space

NEXT E3 South Elmsall

Just behind our NEXT E3 warehouse in South Elmsall (near Field Lane) the landscaping contractors planted some wild flowers to help support local biodiversity and soften the industrial surroundings. While it looks like a beautiful nature reserve, the two ponds are actually part of the site’s surface water management system. They were designed to prevent flooding around our 1 million sq ft facility, but were brilliantly planned with ecological enhancement in mind to keep the area green.

It is a real haven for wildlife down there. We actually have some little ducklings out on the pond at the moment! In the photos, the large wooden structure that looks a bit like a shed roof on legs is a purpose-built roost for bats. We're going to add some bee hives to the site soon.

It’s not just great for wildlife either; there is a public footpath that loops right around the pond, making it a really popular, peaceful spot for local dog walkers and runners to enjoy.

🪻Our colleagues gardens in bloom 🪻

Outside our restaurant is a welcome space to enjoy the sunshine with plenty of greenery to soften the landscape and provides an area of relaxation.

This is the season to bloom

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the world's most famous flower show opens its doors in May. To celebrate we gave colleagues the opportunity to showcase their gardens in bloom.

We know how much time and effort is spent making the most of any outdoor space we have.

So we asked, 'whether your outdoor space is a window box, a balcony or a garden please take a photo of your blooms to share with us and help brighten our days.'

We've loved the photos that you've shared of your outdoor spaces. Take a look and be transported. They will certainly brighten your May days.

If you'd like your photos added, there's still time, simply send your photo by email to claudia_balderson@next.co.uk and we'll showcase these during the month of May.

See your colleagues photos below.

Suzanne at The Pastures, Narborough

Julia in Desborough, Northamptonshire

Phil in Upper Saxondale, Nottinghamshire

Nick in Botcheston Village, Leicestershire

Dawn at Clopton, North Hants

Polly in Bagworth, Leicetershire

Polly Winner small front garden of Bagworth

Polly in Bagworth Leicestershire

Health benefits of Gardening

Retail Trust share the benefits of being in nature. Included in their list are some health benefits related specifically to gardening.

Improve your memory with a spot of gardening

Gardening is one of those chores you either love or hate - but if you fall into the latter camp, it's worth tapping into your green fingered side, if only to take advantage of the health benefits on offer.

Watching a garden gradually flourish is great for your mental health, while jobs such as weeding, raking and mowing count as a low-intensity workout. Gardening has also been proven to improve memory and help the maintenance of good cognitive function, which is especially important as we get older.

If you don't have a garden, look out for community gardening projects in your area, which also offer the chance to foster new friendships and local connections. Even tending houseplants or a window box can improve your wellbeing, so there’s no excuse not to grab a trowel and get stuck in.

Reduce inflammation by walking barefoot on the grass

Even if you spent hours running around the garden barefoot as a kid, as adults we often save ditching shoes and socks for the beach. But padding around a patch of warm grass in bare feet doesn’t just offer a shot of nostalgia: also known as grounding, or earthing (as it’s thought to connect us more closely to the earth), walking barefoot can actually offer a whole host of surprising benefits.

These include improved sleep, decreased muscle tension, reduced stress, and even a reduction in pain – and these plus points aren’t just anecdotal. Studies have shown that grounding can reduce or even prevent signs of inflammation such as redness and swelling following an injury. The theory is that free electrons on the Earth’s surface have an antioxidant effect, which you can access by walking across it barefoot. But whatever the science, it’s a great excuse to tug off your shoes and socks next time you hit the park.

To read the article 'Nurtured by Nature' in full see the Retail Trust here. As a valued colleague at NEXT, you have free and confidential access to the retailTRUST wellbeing services. Sign up FREE and The Trust can support you with helpful advice, financial assistance, face-to-face and telephone counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy, non-repayable grants, career development, return to work and re-skilling initiatives, legal guidance, and on-site critical incident support.

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