Avid gardener supports care home residents 

Alison Fletcher receives $5,000 garden makeover from Landscape Ontario members 

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Landscape Ontario received over a thousand stories of friends, neighbours and family members who have helped to improve the lives of those in their community throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, we are excited to announce the 10 amazing frontline heroes who will receive the garden makeovers! Read the incredible stories of dedication, selflessness and compassion at www.landscapeontario.com/hero and stay tuned to Landscape Ontario this fall and into spring 2021 to see the finished garden makeovers!

Meet all 10 frontline heroes
Thinking back on the year, Alison Fletcher gets emotional.

Fletcher works in the housekeeping laundry department at River Glen Haven Nursing Home in Sutton, Ont., the site of a devastating Covid-19 outbreak this spring.

“It was heartbreaking to see residents passing away, without being able to see their loved ones,” Fletcher says.

In June, there were over 100 active cases at the nursing home, between residents and staff members. Sadly, there were 36 Covid-19 related deaths.

To help staff protect their friends and family, the employer put them up in a hotel. Asked if she was afraid to go to work during such a difficult period, Fletcher says she “felt a responsibility to be there for the residents” and her colleagues.

“There was anxiety at that time, no question about it,” she explains. “But I knew they needed support, and I wanted to be there to help."

Fletcher, who lives in Pefferlaw, Ont., has been working at the nursing home for a year, although she says she has “decades of experience working in cleaning.” Working in a nursing home was a new experience for her, but she enjoys being “part of the team.”

“I love it. It’s a great job where I get to work with a great bunch of people,” says Fletcher. “I can’t say enough about the support I’ve felt from my co-workers, the home’s management, as well as the community.”

The outpouring of gratitude from the community, in particular, “made us feel special,” Fletcher says.

With the outbreak at the nursing home now over, Fletcher says staff are determined to do what they can to prevent another tragedy. 

“There is a real sense of responsibility, working in a nursing home,” Fletcher says. “I know we all want to do everything we can to protect ourselves and the residents.”

Outside of work, Fletcher says she is an avid gardener, who enjoys growing flowers as well as vegetables. 

“I actually worked as a gardener for years,” Fletcher says. “When I got the call from Landscape Ontario, I was shocked. I couldn’t believe it. I feel so honoured and humbled. I know there are so, so many frontline workers out there who are deserving. I really just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.”