Heartbeat: Day nursery gets hands on in garden project

December 21, 2020

Children from the Sandwell Day Nursery have been getting their tiny hands dirty as part of a new and innovative garden project.

The garden project is based outside of Hallam restaurant and is part of the Trust’s plan to further developing our Sandwell Hospital site.

“The green-fingered nursery children have been planting a whole host of herbs, vegetables and fruits all as part of our community allotment,” said Emma Collier, Day Nursery Manager.

“From garlic, chilli, lettuce and Swiss chard to broad beans, sage chives, mint and curry plants the children have been planting the lot! A couple of them even added wind spinners and garden ornaments too.”

The project is just the start of a year-round allotment development which aims to educate the young children.

Toni Carr, Deputy Nursery Manager, thinks the gardening and planting of crops and vegetables is a great source of learning for the children. She said: “It’s fantastic to educate our children about where foods come from and what seeds can become. The learning will also play a part in encouraging the nursery children to eat healthily and the huge benefits of a balanced diet that will only help them long term.”

Emma believes the sensory gardens will increase positivity and make the entrance to the Hallam Restaurant more eye catching for colleagues and patients alike. She said: “What our children have started will eventually become a garden where people can sit and reflect and take time to relax. It will be topped off with the magnolia tree in memory of Veena Terpot who sadly passed away earlier this year as well as the memorial wall where people can remember their loved ones.”

She added: “Further down the line, with the support of our Andrew Mould and his team. We’re planning to have a bug hotel for children and visitors to spot the bugs, and we’re hopeful we will be able to plant butterfly and free friendly flowers.”

Don’t forget the garden project isn’t just for the Sandwell day nursery but for all our colleagues to get involved too! If you would like to play your part in the project, please contact andrew.mould@nhs.net.