North Bersted care home grows own veg

Fresh and tasty lettuces and carrots will be on the menu at Chalcraft Hall after a group of young people finish a makeover of its grounds.

The ten members of the latest Prince’s Trust self-development scheme based in Bognor Regis are spending two weeks creating a raised flowerbed, digging a pond and making a wheelchair ramp on to the lawn.

The home on Chalcraft Lane has 20 residents aged 80 to 100 with dementia.

Home manager Marilyn Francis said: “We intend to use the flowerbed for growing flowers and vegetables.

“It will be good for the residents to plant the seeds and watch them grow.

“We’re happy for the young people to do the work because it gives them a worthwhile activity and the residents enjoy watching them.”

One of the Prince’s Trust members, Chichester resident Jade Newman, 19, said: “Doing this work is about everyone coming together.

“We are being challenged as a team. We are all educating each other to do things and it’s helping other people as well.

“I’m really enjoying the course but it’s nice to do something active. We can see the progress we are making and the difference which is taking place day after day.”

Prince’s Trust project co-ordinator Roy Newnham said: “This work is the community placement of the 12-week course.

“The young people have had to find the right project, plan it, source the materials and then work out how to complete it.

“So it gives them planning skills, teamwork and communication skills.

“Those who are on the course are aged 16-25 and typically suffer from low esteem and self-confidence.

“The idea of the course is to get them in a position to go on to higher education or jobs.”