STUDENTS from Gloucestershire College put their skills to good use at the Orchard Trust Sensory Garden in Coleford recently.

Tina Baker, spokesperson for the Orchard Trust said: “The Sensory Garden is at our residential home for adults with learning disabilities and will be enjoyed by the service users and visitors.

“The students worked very hard all day to help the project progress by preparing the flowerbeds and pond area for planting.”

Lauren Baugh from the student development team at Gloucestershire College said: “It was lovely to see students taken out of their comfort zones and really excel at doing something most had not tried before.

“I was impressed with what the students managed to achieve in the few hours they were there. These days are really important so the students are able to gain different experiences away from their courses and learn crucial skills such as team work.

“Citizenship skills and work experience projects are essential in supporting our young people to develop into admired professionals in the business world.”

Tina added: “The garden was designed by Scott Baine and Nichola Goff of The Rewild Project and is based around the human senses.

“Areas will be split to represent sight, sound, taste and smell with plants, sculptures, waters features, instruments and seating areas. Within the ‘senses’ areas there are raised beds enabling people in wheelchairs to access and help tend and harvest the garden.”

To find out about this project or to donate, visit www.orchard-trust.org.uk. For more information about Gloucestershire College visit www.gloscol.ac.uk.