Young people help with garden makeover at Portsmouth hospital

TEENAGERS got their hands dirty to help transform a garden for hospital patients.
Young people from NCS spent two weeks helping transform the garden at St James' Hospital, in Portsmouth.Young people from NCS spent two weeks helping transform the garden at St James' Hospital, in Portsmouth.
Young people from NCS spent two weeks helping transform the garden at St James' Hospital, in Portsmouth.

Two teams of young people spent a fortnight at St James' Hospital, in Portsmouth, as part of their National Citizen Service (NCS) programme. 

During their time at the Milton site they planted flowers, cut back hedges, cleaned the patio and made the garden a place patients can enjoy.

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Lily Smith, 16, from Swanmore, said: '˜It has been a really good two weeks giving something back.

'˜I want a career in paediatric psychology so it has been interesting to spend time at St James' and meet the staff.

'˜We had to raise money to buy the flowers and other equipment and we managed to get £800 which we were really happy with.'

The garden project is part of a scheme by Solent NHS Trust which will transform their outdoor spaces for patients.

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In the near future, they will be able to sit outside and enjoy the quiet.

Graeme Matthews, modern matron for The Limes at St James', said: '˜The Limes has been in desperate need for an update to its gardens.

'˜They were put in 10 years ago and the shrubbery had overgrown.

'˜We have professional teams doing the main part of the project but it was good to have the teenagers help add the flowers and other plants.'