We were delighted that pupils from Leominster’s Earl Mortimer College, chose to support our home, by enhancing our serenity garden.
The serenity garden project
The National Citizen Service scheme required student to undertake a social action project. The students of Earl Mortimer College wanted a hands-on project and to make a direct impact on their community. By enhancing our serentity garden they have certainly achieved this.
A serenity garden, often called a sensory garden, is designed more with our residents in mind.
It has plants in higher troughs with space between for wheelchair access. Residents can easily reach the plants to therefore enjoy gardening themselves.
Plants are chosen specifically to stimulate the senses, such as leaves soft to touch, or fragrant plants that attract insects.
We have sensory gardens too at other homes in our group. Read an article from Astley Hall Nursing Home, about the benefits of sensory gardens, by clicking here https://www.heritagemanor.co.uk/2017/07/sensory-garden-astley-hall-dementia/
The students fully funded the project through donations of stunning plants from Philpotts Nursery in Leominster and Wyevale Garden Centre in Wellington. Over a number of days at West Eaton, they worked tirelessly, transforming the garden. They were helped by local gardener Dave Sylvester, who also kindly volunteered his expertise.
community volunteers planting the serenity garden
community volunteer team
Project mentors: Catch22
The students were mentored by Catch 22. This is a non-profit business with a social mission and heart of a charity.
Their vision is the 3P’s:
- a strong society where everyone has a good place to live,
- a purpose and
- good people around them.
To read more about Catch 22 and the work they do, please click here https://www.catch-22.org.uk/
Hannah and Indie were their mentors from Catch22. Hannah said they were “very proud of their efforts to make a positive impact in their community and know that the experience will influence them positively in the future”.
The serenity garden party
Not only did they work on the garden, but they then hosted a fabulous tea party.
Cake were kindly donated by the Buttercup Cafe in Leominster, Tina Jones of Traditional Bakes and JMarts in Leominster.
Our residents loved being shown the newly transformed gardens. It was a chance to chat with the students about the project, their hopes, dreams and aspirations.
We also welcomed the Mayor, Councillor Roger Pendleton to West Eaton to admire all their hard work.
A huge thank you
Our gardens now look spectacular. Thank you to the students, their mentors and everyone who gave so generously to the project.
The students who took part were Megan Dale, Jess Chandler, Kate Campbell, Molly Wilson, Beth Jones, Hattie Barnett, Kayleigh Wilks, James Colley, Ryan Hill and Ash Benjamin.
Kate Campbell said “We decided to do a ‘hands on’ project as we wanted to make a direct impact to our community by enhancing the garden. Having the tea party, including the residents in the project. The care home is amazing and very close to our hearts.”
It is wonderful when a project brings together our community and gives so much continuing enjoyment to our residents.