A local care home has reopened its garden as a sensory space for residents thanks to the work of Newcastle-under-Lyme college students.

The garden at Belong care home in Newcastle-under-Lyme has reopened following a successful partnership between the Mayor's Charity Fund - who sponsored the project and supplied materials - and NSCG Newcastle College whose students completed hours of design and labour to see the project to completion.

On Tuesday 19 May, Mayoress of Newcastle-under-Lyme Judy Bettley-Smith, along with Deputy Principal of NSCG Shelley Brown, officially reopened the garden for use joined by local government representatives, NSCG students and Belong staff.

Emma Palin, Experience and Heritage Coordinator at Belong who was key in the implementation of the project said: "It was fantastic to see how the students engaged with the process.

"Not only were they hardworking and committed, but also really enthusiastic - our residents had a great time watching them work, and they're really eager to get outside and start using the space."

Mayoress of Newcastle-under-Lyme Judy Bettley-Smith, along with Deputy Principal of NSCG Shelley Brown, officially reopened the garden (image via NSCG)

Using classroom knowledge to fulfil the live brief, learners from a variety of departments including Bricklaying, Joinery, T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction and Foundation Learners, worked together to plan, design, build and plant the sensory garden with the residents of Belong Care Home in mind.

T Level students and winning design team Skye Barker, Victoria Silva and Luke Elk-Oldham spent time researching dementia in order to design a space to perfectly cater to the needs of its users.

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Shelley Brown, Deputy Principal of NSCG, commented: "It was a privilege to be part of the re-opening of the sensory garden at Belong.

"Thank you to the Mayor and Mayoress Robert and Judy Betley Smith for their support and to our fantastic staff and students for their hard work and commitment in bringing this project to life. A wonderful example of partnership and community in action."

NSCG aims to create opportunities for students to develop, learn and thrive both in and out of the classroom.

In this case, while getting a taste of what working life could be like after college, students been able to use their knowledge and skills to help the community too.

Information on studying at NSCG can be found on the website here.

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