Isabel Hospice has opened its doors to a group of green-fingered young people who have created a new community garden as part of a 12-week programme with the Prince’s Trust.
Patients at Isabel Hospice, which offers palliative care for those with life-limiting illnesses, can now enjoy this beautiful setting which offers them a place to spend time outside and with friends and family.
The project is spearheaded by Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service who run three opportunities for 16–25-year-olds every year, alongside the Prince’s Trust, with the aim of creating opportunities to get youths back into education, training or employment.
Youth and Volunteers Manager, Wayne Matthews from the fire service said to the group at a recent presentation: “Delivering the Princes Trust programme is one of the tools we use to help young people as they face many challenges. I would like to congratulate you on your bravery for taking part and for your contribution to the community, and I hope you go on to do great things in the future.”
Isabel Hospice was identified as a charity the young people wanted to support as a number of them have had a personal connection with the charity.
Deanna, a 21-year-old single Mum from Welwyn Garden City, said: “The staff are amazing and deserve everything that is gifted to them they were so kind.”
After raising almost £500 to self-fund the initiative, Deanna and her Team members have been on site at the hospice for six days and have planted fresh flower beds, hanging baskets and painted some colourful stones for residents to enjoy. A picnic bench has also been donated for patients and relatives to appreciate the garden, kindly donated by Country Properties.
The students will be welcomed back in April to see the garden in full bloom.
One of the young volunteers, Deanna added: “Thank you to everyone at Isabel Hospice for welcoming us to be able to do our community project. It has been an honour to help the volunteers and give you a new-look garden area. We hope by spring there will be a lot of colour. We have all enjoyed doing this and you (the hospice) deserve it for all the work you do for your patients.”
Isabel Hospice provides free care and support to its patients and their families and heavily relies on volunteers to keep services going. CEO Helen Glenister, explained what a vital role the team of nine local youngsters have played.
She said: “Isabel Hospice can’t operate unless people fundraise and support us. Volunteering makes a real difference as you will have seen over the last weeks. Thank you all very much for what you have done, it’s really appreciated.”
The Prince’s Trust Team Programme is a Personal Development Programme that helps young people aged 16 to 25 who are not in Employment, Education or Training, and help them to gain a qualification in in “Employment, Teamwork and Community Skills” Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue run 15 Programmes throughout the Year from 5 different locations across Hertfordshire for more information please visit our website.
