Bupa Care Homes 'Grow Their Own' for Community Initiative

LEEDS, England, May 24, 2011 -

Bupa care homes' residents have their watering cans at the ready as they
prepare to 'grow their own' for 'Community Crops'.

'Community Crops' is a Bupa care homes (www.bupa.co.uk/care-homes)
initiative which promotes the health benefits associated with gardening and
growing your own fruit and veg.

The project is being supported by young people involved with The Prince's
Trust, who are linking up with Bupa homes, including nursing care
(www.bupa.co.uk/individuals/care-homes/types-of-care/nursing-care)
homes, across the UK to help sow and grow the crops.

Residents have also been inviting local schools and community groups to
lend a hand with planting and start their own vegetable plots.

Caroline Davy, Bupa's community affairs assistant, said: "This is a great
way for our residents to appreciate the fresh air, stay active and get a real
sense of achievement by tending to the crops and watching them grow.

"For our residents who were keen gardeners before they joined us,
'Community Crops' offers a great opportunity to get back involved, but it
also helps minds as well as bodies. Particularly for our residents receiving
dementia care (
www.bupa.co.uk/individuals/care-homes/types-of-care/dementia-care),
sharing stories about 'dig for victory' and the tradition of growing your own
are excellent memory triggers to aid connections with the past."

Helen Thurston, from The Prince's Trust, added: "'The Community Crops'
campaign is a fantastic project which provides our Prince's Trust XL club
members with the opportunity to get involved with their local community. It
enables young people to engage in a positive way with a different generation
and learn about the importance of healthy eating."

Altogether, the Community Crops campaign has taken root in gardens and
greenhouses in over 300 care homes across the UK

About Bupa Care Services:

Bupa Care Services runs 305 nursing and residential homes in the UK and
cares for almost 18,500 people. Its homes are open to everyone - with over 70
percent of UK residents receiving state funding. It is the only company to
offer Alzheimer's Society-trained Dementia Champions in its UK specialist
care homes and over 25% of its beds in the UK are registered for specialist
dementia care. Bupa Care Services employs over 27,000 people and owns care
homes in Spain, Australia, and New Zealand

About Bupa Group:

Bupa's purpose is to help people lead longer, healthier, happier lives. A
leading international healthcare group, it offers personal and company health
insurance, run care homes for older people and hospitals, and provide
workplace health services, health assessments and chronic disease management
services, including health coaching, and home healthcare.

With no shareholders, Bupa invests its profits to provide more and better
healthcare. It is committed to making quality, patient-centred, affordable
healthcare more accessible in the areas of wellness, chronic disease
management and ageing.

    PR Contact:

    Caroline Davy
    Community Affairs Assistant
    Bupa Care Services
    Bridge House
    Outwood Lane
    Horsforth
    Leeds
    LS18 4UP
    +44(0)113-381-6255

www.bupa.co.uk

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