College Students Create Care Home’s Gardens

Earlier this month, Thorney Croft Care Home in Stranraer welcomed ten students from Dumfries & Galloway College, who undertook an exciting gardening project.

Thorney Croft, which supports 60 people living with dementia, applied to the Prince’s Trust for support in creating sensory gardens for their home.

The home is part of national social care charity, Community Integrated Care. Ten students from Dumfries and Galloway College spent a whole week transforming two of the home’s outdoor areas into stunning and colourful sensory gardens.

The Prince’s Trust participants wanted to reach out to people living with dementia. As part of the intergenerational project, the students learnt more about living with dementia and how important sensory objects and activities are for the health and wellbeing of those living with the condition.

The students’ even raised their own money to fund the project, generously giving back to their community. On Thursday 13th October, the students unveiled their beautiful gardens to the staff and people supported at the home, who were absolutely thrilled with the transformation. People supported can now enjoy a calm, tranquil and therapeutic space, all thanks to ten hard-working students.

Ruth McIntyre, Head of Service for South Scotland for Community Integrated Care, said: “We were delighted that the Prince’s Trust chose Thorney Croft Care Home as part of an intergenerational programme at Dumfries & Galloway College. The ten students worked really hard all week, completely transforming two of our outdoor spaces into beautiful gardens.  

Ruth continues: “At Thorney Croft, we really value our connections with the local community. It was fantastic to see young people from our local college take such an interest in learning more about dementia and creating something so wonderful. The stunning gardens will offer such a calming environment and I know the people we support will love them.”