Spreading the Blooming Joy

A small group of learners were praised recently for giving something back to the community. When the Isle of Wight Society for the Blind purchased Millward House in Carisbrooke, they also inherited a sizeable over-grown garden which required some tender loving care.

In need of help, they established links with HTP which encourages its Entry to Employment (e2e) learners to work within the community to gain an awareness of others.

Based at Orme House in Pyle Street,the learners along with Training Consultants Pauline Gulliver and Julian Thomas cleared debris, repotted trees, did lots of needed weeding and prepared an area to have underlay and gravel laid to increase the car parking space by 4ft and vastly improve the look of a back courtyard.

Under the leadership of Hillary Bolton, volunteer head gardener who also helps at Osborne House, the learners helped plant trees as well as shrubs to make the grounds more attractive and user friendly to those who are partially sighted.

“The learners have been absolutely super,” said Sally Duckworth, Activities Co-ordinator at the Society for the Blind. “They all get on so well, have responded well to guidance and have worked very hard. It has been lovely having them help us.”