Residents at a Dereham care home and their families now have a beautiful outdoor oasis to enjoy thanks to a ‘garden rescue’ transformation by a group of young volunteers.

Eight people from the Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service youth development group spent weeks planning and sourcing items for the garden at Sanford House in Swanton Road.

READ MORE: Jurassic train? Dinosaurs coming to heritage railway for 'roarsome' event

Dereham Times: Prince's Trust team members raising money at Dereham's Tesco Extra Prince's Trust team members raising money at Dereham's Tesco Extra (Image: aboutDereham Partnership/Fire & Rescue Service team)

They collected materials donated by local businesses, fundraised at a Tesco Extra store by packing customers’ bags, and more. 

They then worked with the well-being team at Sandford House, which offers nursing care and dementia care for up to 40 elderly people.

READ MORE: Run-down cottage with 'lots of potential' heads to auction with £200k guide price

Hugh King, Dereham’s mayor, and Linda Monument, deputy mayor, were at a ceremony to officially open the garden and thank the volunteers, who have been taking part in a 12-week Prince's Trust programme for 16-to-25-year-olds.

Dereham Times: Sensory boards are part of the new garden at Sanford House in DerehamSensory boards are part of the new garden at Sanford House in Dereham (Image: aboutDereham Partnership/Fire & Rescue Service team)

Mr King said “They’ve all worked incredibly hard from start to finish raising over £1,200 to equip the garden. 

“The team created sensory and music boards, laid a new small paving area, made additional raised wooden planters and spruced up an existing gazebo - all under the leadership of Chantelle Williams, Scott Rudling and Gary Szabo from the fire and rescue service team – so I’d like to thank them too.

READ MORE: In the dock this week: Clubland thug and killer drug-driver

Dereham Times: Linda Monument and High King study the plans for the new gardenLinda Monument and High King study the plans for the new garden (Image: aboutDereham Partnership/Fire & Rescue Service team)

Also at the opening were care home residents, nurses and managers, members of community group aboutDereham, Callie Skelton, Tesco’s community champion and friends and family.

During the project, group members took turns to be team leader for a day to help build their leadership skills. 

The scheme is for those not in full-time education, employment or training, and includes a qualification and aims to develop skills, build confidence, make friends and look ahead to a future in education or work.