From Sales to Soil – Jonathan The Gardener’s Inspired Work At Latham Lodge

When Jonathan Stoakes joined the team at Latham Lodge as a part-time gardener, he immediately brought creativity, ingenuity and talent for recycling to the role.

The Journey from Sales to Soil

Jonathan’s previous line of work couldn’t have been more different. He’d built a career as an estate agent but when he suffered a prolapsed disc, the temporary but dramatic effect on his physical wellbeing gave him a wakeup call. Jonathan realised that with savings from the sale of a property left to him by his great aunt, he could afford to live without needing to be employed full time. More importantly, he could choose a less stressful working environment – which is why he applied for the role as a part-time gardener, advertised by Latham Lodge Nursing and Residential Care Home in Portsmouth. It has transformed his days!

The Potting Shed

Jonathan works for 14 hours a week to maintain the garden at Latham Lodge and he’s had a lot more input than the obvious grass cutting, leaf clearing, plant nurturing tasks. A rather underused garden shed was given a makeover and is now proudly named ‘The Potting Shed’. It’s a beautifully organised home for tools, gardening books, plant feed, a mini potting area – and also art. Jonathan’s a keen painter and his reproduction of Van Gough’s ‘Sunflowers’ is an impressive splash of colour on a wall shared with neatly hanging secateurs, saws, shovels and trowels.

When Jonathan decorated some donated tiles with pictures of garden creatures to display on the side of the potting shed, he encouraged the residents to join in. One resident, Alan, wasn’t keen on the nature theme but he’s a huge Star Wars fan so Jonathan encouraged him to paint R2-D2 on his tile – then followed suit and a created C-3PO tile to go alongside Alan’s robot.

Recycling and Repurposing

Recycling used or discarded items is a hobby that Jonathan has brought to his role at Latham Lodge and, in his own words, “I used to be an estate agent so I’m cheeky enough to ask anyone for anything”! He’s been given blocks from an industrial unit, unwanted tiles from a local retailer, wooden pallets from a neighbour and soil from a friend. Jonathan uses the phrase “playing it forwards” and gives an example of some sand that was given to him free of charge. As a thank you, he returned the favour with huge bag of green beans which have grown prolifically at Latham Lodge this summer.

Much of what Jonathan has begun is work in progress and he hopes that when some of the materials are replaced in the future, he can pass on what might be useful to other local care homes or community groups.

Making a Difference

Jonathan is always looking for ways to make a difference and the bumper crop of apples from the home’s trees have been put to good use, or in his own words, “I think I’ve perfected the apple crumble!” He’s aiming to develop the vegetable patch where peppers, tomatoes, carrots, cabbages, beetroot, potatoes, sweetcorn, lettuce and courgettes were planted - and grew with varying degrees of success! The runner beans ran wild but the cabbages which looked so promising were decimated by caterpillars.

It’s all part of the learning experience for Jonathan. He’s a gardening enthusiast who loves researching what he doesn’t know and then putting his new-found knowledge into practice – including how nettles provide valuable shelter for egg-laying ladybirds, why a hedgehog hotel needs an L-shaped entrance and the benefits of seaweed (which he gathers from a beach near his home) as compost.

‘Jonathan the Gardener’ on YouTube

Jonathan’s Pinterest account is full of ideas for all of the home’s outdoor areas. He’s keen that the gardens are welcoming and positive spaces that residents can enjoy it in any way possible – which is why he’s created a special YouTube channel where he can share news and images of the garden with those residents who aren’t able to get outside. The ‘Walkabout with Jonathan the Gardener’ videos are delivered in a clear, engaging style and give regular updates on what’s in the pipeline and progress that’s been made.

He also recently shared news of his fundraising activity on behalf of Cancer Research UK – firstly, getting his hair dyed half pink, half blue and then on a later date, having it all shaved off! Jonathan successfully raised over £1,000 for the charity.

Green Champion back in the Wild

Gardening throughout the different seasons brings a variety of jobs and objectives; right now, that means blowing and bagging leaves, planting bulbs for springtime and harvesting the seeds from dead-headed flowers. It’s also a great time for forward planning and Jonathan has ideas for every area of the garden which will help to realise its potential and bring nature closer to the residents.

Jonathan appreciates the collaborative relationship he has with the home’s maintenance manager, Ray, whose experience and understanding of health and safety, and handiness with a tool kit, is a real bonus. He’s also full of praise for Home Manager, Kelly, and the team, explaining, “I love the team, everyone cares and this gives me hope – and inspires me to do my best.”

Not surprisingly, Jonathan is the care home’s nominated Green Champion – a role that fits seamlessly with his genuine enthusiasm for the natural world and for helping others. His input at Latham Lodge brings joy all round and when describing how happy he feels at work, Jonathan said, “I feel like wildlife that’s been released from a reserve back into the wild.” A lovely sentiment from someone creating an environment at Latham Lodge that’s the perfect combination of beautifully organised and wild at heart.

If you’d like to check out Jonathan’s regular garden videos, search ‘Latham Lodge Garden Updates’ on YouTube.