The Prince’s Trust staff at Sussex Coast College in Hastings are actively trying to recruit more young people who live in Rye and surrounding villages for their activities, as previous team members have come from both Rye and Peasmarsh.
Currently young volunteers from the college have been gaining valuable work experience, as part of an ongoing relationship with Hastings Court, a purpose-built, 80-bed care home on the Ridge on the outskirts of Hastings, providing person-centred residential, nursing and dementia care.
Ten young people from the Prince’s Trust scheme at the college (a charity which seeks to help young people, under the auspices of Prince Charles) have spent three weeks tidying the garden at Hastings Court, preparing it for winter and maintaining the Garden of Love, created by resident Fred Day as a place for people to remember their loved ones.
Fred, 85, has lived at Hastings Court since March, with his wife of 63 years, Sheila, who has dementia. He started the gardening club to continue his lifelong hobby, having created and maintained his own garden at home in Hastings before the couple moved in.
His Garden of Love has drawn praise from Home Secretary and local MP Amber Rudd, and the mayor of Hastings, Cllr Judy Rodgers, planted the first rose bush.
“The volunteers have been an enormous help,” said Fred. “People here need to be able to enjoy the garden. It lifts their spirits, so it’s really important to keep it well maintained.
“The young people have helped me to dig out old plants, tidy the paths, order top soil and plant daffodil bulbs that should look beautiful in the spring. We’ve had great fun together.”
The Prince’s Trust course is a 12-week programme that offers young people aged 16 to 25 opportunities to develop their confidence, motivation, communication and life skills by working as a team on community projects.
The volunteers at Hastings Court were accompanied by Prince’s Trust team leader, Helen Bowler. Possible volunteers can contact Helen at 01424 458452 or at hbowler@sussexcoast.ac.uk.
“The Prince’s Trust scheme gives them a chance to gain transferable skills for the world of work” said Helen, “and we’ve worked with Hastings Court for two years now and the young people get a lot out of being here.
“Not only do they get valuable experience, they complete a project with a lasting impact for the community and that gives them a great deal of satisfaction. Plus, they get a fresh perspective on older people and vice versa.”
During the project, the young people also painted pictures to decorate the home and encourage reminiscences, including Disney characters from residents’ childhoods, images of Hastings seafront and traditional fishing boats. They celebrated the end of their hard work at a party with the residents.
“Team members worked so hard on their community project at Hastings Court,” said Helen. “I am so proud of the fantastic contribution they have made to the community.
“It’s inspirational to hear the stories of how far some of these young people have come in the short time they have been on the team. Many of them just need that little push to help them come out of their shells, but once they’re out they can achieve anything.”
Source: Sussex Coast College
Photo : Sussex Coast College