Belong Newcastle-under-Lyme's dementia-friendly garden has enjoyed a makeover with the help of local people as it vies to be crowned the town's best community garden.

Thanks to team spirit, camaraderie and some extra pairs of hands from young adults from The Prince's Trust and Stoke-on-Trent College, the refreshed Lower Street care operator's gardens offer a calm oasis open to the public as well as those residing at the care village.   

The addition of two ponds have added an abundance of underwater life into the village community, whilst a flourishing vegetable garden and herbs wall provides homegrown ingredients for use in the onsite bistro. Craft projects for the village's older residents have helped provide features including ceramic toadstools and mushrooms, with painted pebbles adding a splash of colour.  

Even the seaside has been brought inland, with a bucket and spade sandpit proving popular with visitors.

Apartment tenants Eileen Allman and Paul Gray enjoy the fruits of their labour (Belong).

Emma Palin, experience and heritage co-ordinator, said: "We consulted with our customers about what they wanted, and they were brimming with ideas, and many got involved, personally. The result is a spectacular experience of ideas coming to life through colour, smells, tastes and textures to offer something truly special for everyone to enjoy." 

The courtyard and gardens form part of the village's central hub, opening out from its public bistro and the integrated Belong Heritage Gallery, the town's oldest building dating from the 17th century. Today, the gallery documents Newcastle history, arts, and culture through exhibitions, as well as the Old Pomona Inn and Sammy Bell's tea rooms which pay homage to the building's past as a public house and as the town's only pottery, respectively.   

Belong enlisted the help of The Prince's Trust and Stoke-on-Trent College, with young volunteers joining residents, colleagues and independent living apartment tenants Paul Gray and Eileen Allman to update the grounds. After weeding and laying foundations, raised planter beds have been painted two-tone to incorporate forget-me-not blue in a nod to the flower commonly associated with dementia. Ahedgehog house and bug hotels have also been added encourage to wildlife into the area.      

The gardens have been entered into the borough's Newcastle in Bloom competition (Nub News).

The gardens have been entered into the borough's Newcastle in Bloom competition, for which results will be revealed next month. Similarly, Belong Newcastle-under-Lyme is amongst representatives for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Heart of England in Bloom entry for the Business Improvement District category. 

Emma continues: "Now that summer has finally arrived, we've never seen our garden so busy! Our customers and the community are really enjoying the new environment, and the seaside is certainly proving to be a hit as we enjoy the warmer weather. It's the perfect spot to relax and unwind and we invite everyone to come and enjoy our peaceful oasis!"

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