Teen citizens clear care home garden for elderly residents

A GROUP of teenagers spent part of their summer holiday gardening at a West Yorkshire care home – giving elderly residents access to a once overgrown path.

The National Citizenship Service (NCS) group from the Huddersfield Giants Community Trust have been spending time at Longroyds and Pilling House Care Home, Pilling Lane, Skelmanthorpe.

All aged 15-17 years old, the group of more than a dozen students braved 30+ degree temperatures to revamp part of the care home’s rear garden.

They removed brambles and weeds from a large area, recovering a footpath that was completely overgrown.

Due to the heat, residents were unable to support the students, but were delighted with the results when temperatures cooled down enough for them to make use of the garden again.

Tracy Keen, deputy manager at Longroyds and Pilling House Care Home, said: “These young people have worked really hard to remove all the weeds and recover a footpath that was completely overgrown.

“Usually, the residents would have the opportunity to talk to the students and give them advice while they were gardening, but it was far too hot during their visit.

“The residents were delighted with their efforts and thought they had done a great job, though. When the weather cools down we can organise a few plants to go in and hopefully residents can help, weather permitting.”

Lauren Buckley, NCS manager for Huddersfield Giants Community Trust, said: “Young people attending NCS are 15 to 17 years old taking part in a 10-day summer programme focussed on building key skills such as teamwork, communication, and confidence.

“The NCS group of young people from South Kirklees teamed up with the Hill Care Group to create a social action project at Longroyds and Pilling House Care Home, in Skelmanthorpe.

“The team of 16 completed two-and-a-half days of gardening, including: clearing a path, weeding, planting, cutting trees and general upkeep of the garden for the residents to enjoy.

“The standout moment was when a resident came to their window, smiled, and waved at the young people as a token of her thanks, after seeing the path that had been rediscovered.

“It was a motivating factor for the young people to see the impact of their work and they all really enjoyed being a part of the project.

“We hope the group have left the space clean and open and we would love to be able to work with the care home again to continue the legacy of the project.”