Students Transform St Michaels’ Garden

Eight students from Hugh Baird College in Bootle have spent two weeks renovating the garden of one of our mental health services in Liverpool as part of their Prince’s Trust community project.

The students, aged 16 to 21, put their green-fingers to the test to create a serene outdoor space for people supported at St Michaels.

To fund their garden challenge, the team raised £200 by organising cookie and cake sales, raffles and even a sponsored trek up Moel Famau in Wales.

In just under two weeks the hard-working youngsters stripped back foliage, dug out a vegetable patch, created a seating area and cleared pathways, completely transforming the over-grown and unusable garden into a beautiful and therapeutic outdoor space.

On Thursday 1^st June, staff and people supported at St Michaels hosted a celebration event for the students and representatives from Hugh Baird College and The Prince’s Trust. The young people gave a short presentation, talking to guests about what they had most enjoyed about the project, before handing over a commemorative plaque to the service.

“We were looking for a really worthwhile project for a community group who needed practical support but didn’t have the resources to do it themselves” explains Hugh Baird College’s Prince’s Trust Team Leader, Sue Warrior. “Helping transform St Michaels’ garden has been really rewarding for our young people. They’ve gained a real sense of accomplishment, enjoyed working together as a team and have had a real laugh with the people supported here.” 

Alfie Bramfield, a student at Hugh Baird College, said of his experience: “It’s been lots of fun completing this garden project. It was great to work together with my class mates, as well as the people who live at St Michaels. I’ve learnt loads about gardening and have picked up some valuable project management skills that will look great on my CV.”

Carl Lloyd-Torres, who lives at St Michaels, said: “Our garden looks amazing! It’s been a brilliant team effort and I loved helping the students out. I can’t wait for our first BBQ and to spend time here with my family.”

Service Manager for St Michaels, Sara Taylor, added: “I’d like to thank all the students from Hugh Baird College for doing such a fantastic job. It means so much for the people we support to have such a lovely space to enjoy.

Sara continued: “It’s really important for us to raise awareness of mental health and build an inclusive society for the people we support. Their hard work on this garden project will go a long way in helping improve the health and wellbeing for everyone that lives here.”  

If you are interested in joining the Prince’s Trust Team programme at Hugh Baird College, contact 0151 353 4444 or visit www.hughbaird.ac.uk.