TEENAGERS have renovated a Bridgwater care home garden as part of a national youth programme to develop workplace skills.

The youths took part in the Prince’s Trust team project at Limes Residential Home, where they cleared the pond, weeded, pruned, planted flowers and herbs, and jet washed the patios.

They also painted the benches, shed and smoking area.

On Friday, November 12, the Mayor of Bridgwater, Bill Monteith, attended the official opening.

The teenagers said they attended the course, run by Bridgwater College, to learn new skills and gain confidence.

Kath Walsh, 17, said: “I wanted to boost my confidence and get to know a few more people around here and build up my team work. I’ve realised that when I put my mind to something, I can do it.”

Ryan Dellow, 17, said: “I couldn’t get into college because I didn’t get the grades I wanted. But I want to be able to go to university to become a paramedic. It’s been a good laugh and I’ve got to meet nice people.”

Jack Lavington, 16, hopes to join the RAF in January and thought the course, which finishes by then, would give him extra, valuable qualifications.

For Machaela Woolley, 17, it was about having fun. She said: “It’s fun, I just enjoy being here. I wanted to get motivated as I was bored indoors.”

The programme has run at Bridgwater College for two years and during that time 25 community projects have been carried out.

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