A Mansfield NCS (National Citizen Service) group fundraised throughout the summer to help the community garden at King’s Mill Hospital.

The garden, which is located outside Clinic 10 at the Sutton hospital, is used by members of staff as well as patients and visitors.

It was in need of a makeover and it is hoped the transformation will encourage more patients, visitors and members of staff to visit the garden and enjoy the benefits of being close to nature.

The group raised more than £280 for the project by taking part in a five-hour dance-off. It enabled them to buy plants, garden tools, a water butt and paint, which was all used to transform the garden.

The group then spent a week transforming the garden.

They started by digging the soil and removing large stones and pebbles to give new plants the best growing start. The group then planted vegetables, fruit trees, herbs and flowers as well as painting pots and planters and making handmade decorations.

Vicky Tilbrook, team leader in the Discharge Team at King’s Mill Hospital, and mum of Sarah Tilbrook, who was part of the NCS group, was with the group all week, working on the garden in all weather.

Vicky said: “I am incredibly proud of the NCS team for not only raising money for the garden, but using their own time during the week to completely transform it.

“The NCS group has seen the benefit of its hard work and I know this is going to be a great space for our colleagues and also our patients and visitors to enjoy.”

Team leaders for the NCS group, Patrick Jones and Hannah Alvey, were with the group all week, helping them renovate the garden.
Hannah aded: “The group knew that they wanted to support a project that was outside and that will have future benefits for the local community. Sarah’s mum, Vicky, works at King’s Mill and gave the group the idea of supporting and working on the newly opened community garden.

“They knew this would add value to the members of staff, patients and visitors and wanted to create a space that would bring joy to all those that visited.”

Patrick said: “The group enjoyed working on the community garden. They have used their own initiative and ideas to raise money for the project and also used their own time to transform the garden and surrounding area for the benefit of the local community.”

The NCS scheme is open to all 15 to 17-year-olds and provides personal and social development skills through a series of exciting challenges and new experiences. For more information go to www.ncsyes.co.uk/ or search ‘FITC Say Yes’ on Facebook.