Fair Ways in Bloom 2026

Fair Ways in Bloom is an annual, friendly inter-service competition that encourages our teams to connect with nature and create beautiful outdoor spaces for our children, families and teams to enjoy. The friendly competition is also an opportunity for our team and children to come together over a shared activity, strengthen relationships and learn new life skills along the way.

We are delighted to share the results of this year’s Fair Ways in Bloom. First and foremost, a huge thank you to every team who took part. Our judges were hugely impressed by the creativity, enthusiasm and effort on display across Fair Ways. From small planting projects to ambitious garden transformations, it was clear that an enormous amount of thought, teamwork and care had gone into this year’s entries.

And while there were some fantastic winners, Fair Ways in Bloom has always been about much more than who takes home a prize.

More than flowers and gardens

When teams are focused on supporting children and young people through the challenges they face, initiatives such as Fair Ways in Bloom can understandably feel less important than the demands of the day-to-day work.

However, at its heart, Fair Ways in Bloom isn’t really about flowers, gardens or competition entries. It is about creating opportunities for children and young people to connect with nature, spend time outdoors, develop new skills and experience the satisfaction that comes from nurturing something over time.

Planting a seed and watching it grow takes patience. Creating a garden takes planning and teamwork. Keeping plants alive through heatwaves takes commitment. And seeing something you have helped create flourish can bring a real sense of achievement and pride.

Growing something together

The strongest entries this year all had something in common, young people were genuinely involved. Projects developed throughout the year, with teams and young people working together to create spaces that will continue to be enjoyed long after judging day.

The entries are a legacy, a space that belongs to the children and young people who helped create it and somewhere they can continue to enjoy, relax, learn and connect with nature.

Education Category

Winner – Fair Ways School, Fort Wallington

The judges were absolutely blown away by the creativity, planning and breadth of Fort Wallington’s entry. Their project included floral decorations, a restored and replanted boat, handmade hanging baskets, mocktails, rhubarb crumble and, in a Fair Ways in Bloom first, a ‘human plant pot’!

The team presented an impressive project plan, complete with before-and-after photographs, before taking the judges to their very own allotment. The allotment was a real mic-drop moment for the judges and demonstrated just how much had been achieved.

Education Special Mentions

Fair Ways School, Swanwick
Recognised for the delicious cakes and salads made using produce grown in their polytunnel, alongside a beautiful mural created by one of the students.

GLADE School, Totton
Recognised for their inspiring use of space to create a much-loved and well-used sensory garden and regulation zone.

GLADE School, Eastleigh
Recognised for their impressive efforts to engage local businesses, resulting in significant in-kind support for their project.

Residential Category

Winner – Garden House

Once again, Garden House went above and beyond with this year’s entry. Their project began with planning and growing seeds in the depths of winter, followed by planting throughout spring. The team then worked together to care for and nurture their plants through multiple heatwaves. It was clear to the judges that this had been a whole-service effort.

Most importantly, through the photographs and a special performance on judging day, the judges could see the genuine enjoyment that both staff and young people had experienced whilst taking part. That enjoyment, involvement and sense of achievement is exactly what Fair Ways in Bloom is all about.

Residential Special Mentions

Stamshaw
Recognised for their perseverance despite multiple challenges, creating a welcoming space and working hard to engage young people in the competition.

Manor Farm
Recognised for continuing to create a welcoming space for their young people despite the major building works taking place at Swanwick School.

Individual Category Winners

There was plenty of creativity and innovation across this year’s entries, with several services receiving recognition in our individual categories.

Design & Planning: GLADE School, Totton
For their beautifully presented project plan and creative use of space.

Innovation: Ty Cribyn
For creating a unique sensory path and garden.

Sustainability: Garden House
For consistently recycling food waste, encouraging pollinators and nesting birds, and making use of water butts.

Young Person Involvement: Portchester Road
For going the extra mile on judging day!

Presentation: Fair Ways School, Fort Wallington
For their vivid colour scheme, food and drinks, staff adorned with sunflowers and, of course, the unforgettable ‘human plant pot’.

First Impressions: Ty Rhos & Birch Grove
For creating vibrant, well-presented frontages that reflected Fair Ways’ commitment to being good neighbours.

Community Award: GLADE School, Totton & GLADE School, Eastleigh
For successfully engaging with local businesses and the wider community.

Tallest Sunflower: Fair Ways School, Swanwick
For growing an enormous sunflower, sadly cut down in its prime to make way for the new car park!

A big thank you to all for helping to create spaces and experiences that will continue to make a difference to the children and young people we support.