July 5, 2026
Volunteers from the Ayrshire Coastal Path Pathminders team have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to improving outdoor space at Creggan Bahn Care Home in South Ayrshire, following a heartfelt gesture from staff and management who presented the group with a £600 donation.
The cheque presentation marks the completion of a year-long community-led project that has transformed a previously under used garden into a fully accessible, sensory outdoor space designed for residents to enjoy, explore and take part in gentle activity.
This more recent garden project was sparked by a personal connection: Euan Nicol, a former Pathminder volunteer and Ayr Rotary member, became a resident at Creggan Bahn Care Home following illness. His wife Katie, who had continued to support him, initially explored the idea of improving the care home garden.
When the proposal did not progress through Rotary channels, ACP Trail Manager Jimmy Begg stepped in, bringing together a team of Pathminder volunteers to help make it happen directly.
Over the course of 2025 and 2026, a team of ACP Pathminders worked alongside Katie Nicol and care home staff to deliver a series of improvements that completely reshaped the garden experience.
Key works included:
● Creation of a new “cloister-style” circular pathway,allowing residents to walk or be wheeled safely around the garden
● Construction and filling of three raised planters,funded through a care home garden development grant
● Installation of new flower and shrub borders and raised beds designed for sensory engagement
● Transport and laying of 40 reclaimed concrete slabs to extend accessible pathways
● Planting of fruit trees, blueberry bushes,strawberries, tomatoes, shrubs, bulbs and seasonal plants
● Donation of materials including recycled compost and builders’ sand, sourced with support from South Ayrshire Council
Professional horticultural input was provided by Sinclair Williamson of Ayr Rotary, helping to guide planting design and layout.
Nine ACP Pathminders gave their time and energy to the project:
Jim Galbraith, Mike Shute, Kevin Firth, Tim Downie, Dave Graham, Andy Leggate, John Ferguson, and Tom McWhirter, alongside ongoing support from Katie Nicol and care home staff.
In total, ACP volunteers contributed approximately 67 hours of hands-on work, from heavy groundwork to planting and finishing touches.
The transformation has created a fully accessible outdoor environment where residents can:
● Complete a safe circular walk around the garden
● Enjoy raised beds at wheelchair and seated height
● Explore seasonal colour, scent and texture
● Sit at rest points throughout the space
● Watch fruit and vegetable planting develop through the seasons
● Reminisce about their own gardening experiences
Residents have been actively using the garden with family members and staff, and the space has quickly become a place of calm,conversation and connection.
As a gesture of appreciation, Creggan Bahn Care Home staff raised £500 through their summer fete, with management adding a further £100, resulting in a £600 donation presented to the Ayrshire Coastal Path Pathminders.
The contribution recognises the time, effort and community spirit shown by volunteers in creating the cloister path and landscaped garden features for residents.
Rather than a simple project completion, the presentation highlights a genuine two-way partnership between volunteers and the care home — with both sides contributing time, resources and good will to create something lasting and meaningful.
A key strength of the project has been its exceptional value and use of donated resources:
● Soil, sand and reclaimed materials provided free of charge
● Plants sourced from volunteers’ gardens and local suppliers
● Care home funding used for raised planters (£1000 grant)
● Family contributions of fruit trees and shrubs (approx.£200)
● Volunteer-led transport, construction and planting work
This combination of community support and practical volunteering has delivered a high-impact garden with very modest financial outlay.
While the garden is already delivering clear benefits, ongoing maintenance will be essential to ensure it continues to thrive.
Care home staff, volunteers and family members are continuing to support weeding, planting and seasonal care, with hopes that residents will become increasingly involved in light gardening activities such as dead heading, planting selection and harvesting fruit and vegetables.
This project reflects the ethos of the Ayrshire Coastal Path Pathminders — community action, wellbeing, and connection through the outdoors.
What began as a simple idea has become a living, evolving space that now supports mobility, memory, relaxation and joy for residents at Creggan Bahn Care Home.
And with the presentation of a £600 donation, it now also stands as a symbol of mutual appreciation between volunteers and the care home community — a true shared achievement.
