Beryl Davidson has always enjoyed spending time on her balcony, which is now full of brightly potted flowers.
The 92-year-old says it gives her something to tend to and is an uplifting place to spend time.
"It's beautiful, I'm very happy," she says.
“Because I'm in an apartment we don’t have a big yard to potter around in, which I miss, it just makes you feel better to be able to have your own tropical atmosphere.”
Ms Davidson is one of many to benefit from a new scheme brightening the balconies and gardens of elderly residents as a way to improve mental health and combat feelings of loneliness and isolation.
The Balcony Garden Project is driven by the NSW Mid North Coast housing not-for-profit Community Housing Limited.
“We're all over 55 in this building and it makes a big difference for people to get together in their little garden on their balcony," Ms Davidson says.
Community Housing Limited's Steve Neale says the aim was to encourage elderly tenants, many with limited mobility, to spend more time outdoors.
It is also hoped the project will give residents purpose and increase social interaction.
Mr Neale says over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic staff noticed many elderly tenants were rarely using their balconies and were often stuck inside feeling isolated.
With local business and volunteer support, balconies and patios in two Port Macquarie apartment blocks are being overhauled with portable gardens, vegetables, plants and seating.
"There's been a lot of isolation, people being locked down and some fear associated with COVID-19," Mr Neale says.
"We want to get our seniors out in the garden for their mental health, to get fresh air [and] by tidying up the balconies we are enabling that."
The Balcony Garden Project is part of a wider initiative which also involves some communal garden schemes.
"So, we are promoting healthy eating and also getting those tenants out in the garden, and giving something back to the rest of the people in the complex.
"We want to get people starting to go out and mingling ... but also building that confidence to go out into the wider world and do some social activities."
NSW Mental Health Commissioner Catherine Lourey says the Balcony Garden Project is a wonderful idea.
"This initiative is amazing. To have a community group thinking about what is happening in their community, devising a strategy and putting it into place is brilliant," she says.
'It keeps me sane'
Retired chef Ross Matthews, 70, has also received a patio revamp.
He says he values his outdoor space, where he enjoys growing herbs and vegetables and donating some of his fresh produce to the Port Macquarie soup kitchen, where he volunteers.
"It's my relaxation, it keeps me sane," he says.
"You can't sit inside all the time, and with the way COVID has been you aren't game to go anywhere as I have lung and heart issues.
Mr Matthews says the scheme has already resulted in more conversations between tenants, including with his neighbour, 84-year-old Ted Lynch.
Mr Lynch requested potted citrus trees, which volunteers added to his patio.
"It's beautiful, that's going to give me something to do out here," Mr Lynch says.
