Thanks to the green-fingered learners at Regent College who care for the allotment alongside volunteers, it has placed 1st in the ‘Community Gardens – Groups’ category of Newcastle in Bloom 2024.
Organised by Newcastle-under-Lyme Council, the annual competition aims to encourage people in the borough to help improve their local area.
Community engagement is a key part of the Regent College curriculum. With the support of tutors, learners tend to the three vegetable and flower beds at Apedale Heritage Centre.
They have grown potatoes, pumpkins, strawberries, aubergines, and tomatoes from seed to harvest. These have been used in cooking sessions and sold at the Centre’s café. Learners also made bird and butterfly feeders from old milk bottles.
Work Experience Link Worker, Rebecca Mayer said:
“In preparation for the judging at this year’s Newcastle in Bloom, learners worked closely with the Apedale Centre volunteers to maintain the three beds to a high standard.
“The theme of this year’s competition was incorporating what others would throw away, so we got creative and made animal feeders from old milk bottles – something the judges particularly loved.
“It’s a great project to be involved in, and something learners enjoy. As well as gardening skills, which helps improve mental health, learners better understand caring for the environment and have developed great relationships with volunteers.”
Newcastle in Bloom is the local branch of the national campaign ‘Britain in Bloom’. Organised by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, it encourages people to help improve their local environment, regenerate disadvantaged or untidy areas, and addresses issues such as sustainability, recycling, and energy conservation.
Find out more about Newcastle in Bloom here.
Supporting a Brighter Future
At National Care Group, we are committed to community integration. We recognise that working in communities and with partners creates a greater and quicker social impact than when our work is pursued alone.
Click here to discover how we are supporting a brighter future.
