Young unemployed people in Mid Suffolk have created a new garden space for elderly residents in Stowmarket.

The space, in Weston Court, has been created by young people under the Prince’s Trust 12-week programme, which aims to give people the skills and confidence needed to find a job.

The job was delivered by charity Inspire Suffolk.

The team approached Mid Suffolk District Council who in turn gave them support and donated materials enabling them to begin the project.

The young people also arranged and took part in a series of fundraising activities to complete the garden including; a car boot sale, a bake sale, a fun day and also bag packing at Asda in Ipswich.

The charity also provided apple trees, bedding plants, ornamental stones and herbs to create a sensory area in the new garden.

Charley Bowen, team leader for the project, said: “The area outside Weston Court day lounge was just plain grass and not very inspiring, but thanks to the young people’s hard work it now has raised beds with colourful plants, a greenhouse with plants grown from seeds, a sensory garden and a new wooden bench in the garden so the residents can also enjoy listening to the bird songs.

“The young people should feel very proud of their accomplishments on this project, as it looked great once it was finished and we would all like to say a big thank-you to our supporters and those who helped with the project too.”

Clare Boniface, communities officer for Babergh and Mid Suffolk district councils, said: “Some of these young people have seized this opportunity with both hands, we are very grateful for their hard work and wish them all the very best of luck with their futures.”