Gardening skills project success
A group of young people from Chatham
schools have designed and reconstructed a garden for elderly
residents at a sheltered scheme in Luton. The work was carried out
at Rhodes House, Luton an mhs homes sheltered
scheme supervised by from Groundwork Kent and Medway. The
group has been participating in a programme, funded by the Paul
Hamlyn Foundation, aimed at engaging school pupils in a more
practical learning environment, based on acquiring gardening and
landscaping skills.
Groundwork Kent & Medway is part
of a national federation of trusts delivering sustainable
regeneration projects where they are most needed. Working in and
around more than 120 towns and cities, Groundwork is the UK’s
leading environmental partnership organisation
Jo Sage, Development Officer for
Groundwork Kent & Medway’s Community began working with the
group of young people from Medway Community College and Greenacre
Schools last October. The team has been involved in assessing,
designing and improving gardens and outdoor spaces for elderly and
disabled tenants living in mhs homes properties. The scheme has
been a success in integrating young people in their community. Jo
said, "I have been very impressed by the attitude of the young
people who have taken a genuine interest in their work and the
people they are working for. Two pupils in the group have decided
that they would like to follow a career in Horticulture and been
accepted into Hadlow College, Kent’s premier land based college in
West Kent near Tonbridge. Their experience and achievements within
the project have helped them and it’s been a real pleasure to see
the increase in self confidence and motivation amongst the pupils.
Only six months after the project began, its hard to believe it’s
the same group’.
The project included cutting back and digging out large and
overgrown shrubs. Design work that included creating a seating area
and putting in decking, building new attractive pathways and making
raised flower beds that the residents themselves can easily
manage.
Charlie Venables (16) from Gillingham
and Ryan Coleman(15) from Lordswood who attend Greenacre School For
Boys in Walderslade have been accepted by Hadlow College. Charlie
said, "I did a course at school which got me interested, then I
started a twelve week project with Groundwork and made up my mind
about what I want to do. In the long term I would like to have my
own gardening business.
Ryan Coleman who also attends
Greenacre School for Boys said," I have been accepted by the
college to do the First Diploma in Horticulture. I did some
gardening at school but this project has really helped me to make
up my mind about what work I want to do when I leave school.
Alan Hughes, Environmental Services Manager for mhs homes said,
‘The Gardening Skills project is an excellent idea to show young
people another perspective, gain real work experience and to help
them choose what they want to do when they leave school. It’s also
an excellent opportunity for them to do something positive and see
what they can achieve and shine.’