Youngsters make over garden to tackle loneliness within elderly community

This article was taken from: https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/youngsters-make-over-garden-tackle-3257423

By Phoebe Lam at the Nottinghamshire Live

“The young people understood that our residents are just the same as anyone else, and they interacted with them so well.”

A group of young volunteers have made over a garden at a care home they described as “close to our hearts”.

The team of eleven worked on the garden at Jubilee Court care home, in Hucknall, as part of the National Citizen Service.

A spokesman for the group said they wanted to raise awareness of how loneliness affects the elderly.

By regenerating the garden at the care home, there is now a space for residents to relax and spend more time in their community.

Dina Dias, wellbeing lead for Jubilee Court, said: “They worked for a full day in the garden and worked with the residents. It was really lovely for them.

“The young people understood that our residents are just the same as anyone else, and they interacted with them so well.

“It was a really amazing surprise and the whole area has improved with more flowers and decoration for residents to enjoy.”

The team initially set up a fundraiser through bag-packing at the Aldi supermarket in Hucknall where they raised more than £60.

There was also a donation of plants to use in the project from JTF Home and Garden also in Hucknall.

The team spent a week raising money and working at the garden, before unveiling the completed area, which includes freshly planted pots and decorated raised beds.