This year, Bury Hospice has entered into the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) North West in Bloom competition to showcase the fantastic gardening that takes place at the hospice.

We’ve entered the competition under the "It’s Your Neighbourhood" campaign, for the first time, and we couldn’t be more thrilled.

Bury Times: Bury Hospice chief executive Helen LockwoodBury Hospice chief executive Helen Lockwood (Image: Bury Hospice)

This community campaign recognises the wonderful work of volunteers at numerous projects throughout our region.

It encourages the improvement of our surroundings through creative landscaping, and aims to achieve a litter-free and sustainable environment.

The garden grounds at the hospice are beautiful pockets of nature that serve as spaces of tranquillity for people to enjoy, offset from the busyness of Bury.

Bury Times: The hospice gardens are in a great conditionThe hospice gardens are in a great condition (Image: Bury Hospice)

Right now, gorgeous tulips bursting with colour, line the entrance to the site, welcoming patients and visitors upon arrival.

Previous years have seen numerous hospitals, railway stations, and local parks, all taking part in the North West in Bloom competition, which, over the last couple of years has seen an increasing number of hospices getting on board.

This summer, judges will come to the hospice to assess the hard work that has been carried out.

Bury Times: The hospice gardens are in a great conditionThe hospice gardens are in a great condition (Image: Bury Hospice)

There are three areas that are assessed- community participation (40 per cent of marks), environmental responsibility (30 per cent of marks), and gardening achievement (30 per cent of marks).

Our amazing volunteers are pivotal when it comes to greening our hospice environment, as they work hard to improve and maintain our grounds with great care for the benefit of the local community.

We are calling all gardeners and green-thumbed fanatics to help us as we excitedly take on this fun community gardening project.

Bury Times: Hospice volunteer services coordinator Joanne Johnson and gardening volunteer Gary FoyneHospice volunteer services coordinator Joanne Johnson and gardening volunteer Gary Foyne (Image: Bury Hospice)

Jo Johnson, volunteer services coordinator at the hospice, said: “We would love to hear from you if you feel you can spare a few hours each week to come along and help weed, trim back, plant, mow, or even to simply water the fruits of our hard labour.

“We have a small supply of gardening tools to hand, but if you have any spares, please do feel free to bring these along with you, so our gardening squad has access to the right equipment.

“Also, if you have any unwanted plants, bulbs, or seedlings, again, please bring these along too.”

We hope that you can get involved in supporting the hospice to bloom.

For more information, contact Jo at volunteering@buryhospice.org.uk or call 0161 543 9671.