Northampton Saints Foundation Foundation
students help create wellbeing garden
Students from Northampton Saints Foundation’s Engage Plus programme have teamed up with HORIBA UK to design and create a Japanese-inspired wellbeing garden for service users at T e Hope Centre, providing a peaceful space supporting both physical and mental wellbeing. As part of the project, students from the foundation’s Engage
Plus programme, which is taught in partnership with Northampton College, were tasked with designing a garden that refl ected both the needs and aspirations of T e Hope Centre’s service users. Inspired by traditional Japanese gardens and their calming qualities, participants carefully considered how the space could promote wellbeing, encour- age creativity and off er residents somewhere to relax and reconnect. T e project formed part of the students’ work experience, which
allows them to learn new skills and ignite a passion or interest in their journey to a career. Many of the young people involved in the programme face signifi cant barriers, including disengagement from education and challenges around employment. T rough the project, however, they demonstrated creativity, resilience and teamwork while helping to create something truly meaningful for others. On the build day, volunteers from HORIBA UK joined students
and foundation staff to transform the outdoor area, working side by side to turn the young people’s ideas into reality. Additional support came from other local businesses, including MV Kelly, Siemens, ADI, Rotary, Sonepar, Semilog Services, Barrett Homes, Carlsberg and Kier, who contributed by planting fruit and vegetable trees, fence painting, garden maintaining and helping to enhance the wider grounds of T e Hope Centre. Together, these eff orts created a peaceful sanctuary for residents, off ering opportunities to grow fresh produce, take part in outdoor activities, such as painting, and support both physical and mental wellbeing. T e completed garden now off ers residents and service users a
dedicated outdoor sanctuary where they can spend time refl ecting, taking part in activities such as painting, and even growing fresh produce. Refl ecting on the initiative, Craig Phillips, Head of Employability
and Skills at Northampton Saints Foundation, said: “Projects like this show young people what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared purpose. Not only have they developed
practical skills, confi dence and teamwork, but they’ve also had the opportunity to make a genuine diff erence to the lives of others at T e Hope Centre. Seeing the positive impact on service users has been incredibly rewarding for everyone involved.” T e garden was offi cially unveiled in April during a special event
attended by outgoing Mayor, Cllr Jane Birch, alongside represent- atives from Northampton Saints Foundation, HORIBA UK, and residents of T e Hope Centre. T e event provided an opportunity to celebrate the power of partnership working and the positive impact community collaboration can have. Chris Potter, Fundraising, Communications and Marketing
Manager at T e Hope Centre, highlighted the signifi cance of the new space for residents, saying: “T is project means so much to everyone at T e Hope Centre and to the people who use our services. Having a dedicated space like this gives residents somewhere they can step away, refl ect and reconnect with themselves and others. What makes this garden truly special is the story behind it, the young people who designed it, the volunteers who brought it to life, and the organisations that came together to make it happen.” Aimee Baker, CSR Coordinator at HORIBA UK, added: “T is
has truly been a community project with a diff erence. It’s inspiring to see what can be achieved when local businesses, charities and young people collaborate towards a common goal. Projects like this create lasting outcomes for the community while helping to build confi dence, skills and a sense of belonging.” T e foundation would like to thank everyone involved, including
the hardworking students, volunteers from HORIBA UK, local busi- nesses and partners whose support helped bring this special project to life and create a lasting space for wellbeing at T e Hope Centre.
Scan the QR code to fi nd out more about the project. Find out more about Northampton Saints Foundation at
www.northamptonsaintsfoundation.org
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