Woodland trails, lakeside walks and thoughtfully designed gardens have earned the Standish care home national recognition for its outdoor space.

Part of Millennium Care and one of the homes at Standish Care Village, Worthington Lake was recognised for the quality, variety and accessibility of the outdoor space available to the people who live there.

The Lottie Awards are decided through a data-led review of care home listings across England, Scotland and Wales, scored against the things families say matter most when they are choosing care. There are no paid placements, which makes the recognition a genuine reflection of what the home offers day to day.

Lottie chose to celebrate outdoor space because families told them, again and again, that a beautiful garden or green space is one of the things that makes a care home feel like home.

A home surrounded by nature

Standish Care Village sits within the woodlands of Worthington Lakes, and that setting shapes everyday life at Worthington Lake Care Home. Residents have landscaped gardens and sheltered outdoor seating on their doorstep, quiet woodlands on the edge of the site, and the lakes themselves just a short walk away for anyone who fancies a stroll and a bit of bird spotting.

It means the outdoors is not something residents have to be taken to. It is right there, whether that is a cup of tea in the garden on a warm afternoon, a slow wander through the trees with a family member, or simply sitting somewhere green with the doors open and the fresh air coming in.

Worthington Lake supports residential and dementia care, and the benefits of good outdoor space are especially clear for people living with dementia.

Time outside brings a natural rhythm back to the day. Daylight supports better sleep at night and steadier energy through the day. Movement in fresh air supports strength, balance and appetite. And the sensory side of a garden, such as the scent of a herb bed, the texture of leaves, birds singing and the change in the seasons, all offer gentle stimulation that can settle agitation and lift mood in a way that four walls simply cannot.

Gardens and woodland also open the door to memory. Familiar smells and sounds often prompt conversation and reminiscence, and jobs like watering and planting give people a real sense of purpose and achievement. Just as importantly, outdoor space gives families somewhere relaxed and unhurried to spend time together. A walk or a bench in the sunshine can make a visit feel natural rather than clinical, and that matters enormously to the people who love our residents.