BOROUGH Care, the largest not-for-profit provider of care for older people in Stockport, has linked up with The Challenge, one of the leading providers of the National Citizen Service.
National Citizen Service projects will be taking place initially at two of Borough Care's homes, Shepley House in Hazel Grove and Lisburne Court in Offerton.
National Citizen Service is a government-backed programme that brings together young people from different backgrounds for a common purpose.
Open to young people between the ages of 15 and 17, the programme helps them develop skills for their working life and the transition into adulthood.
The first Borough Care project took place at Shepley House. A group of young people visited the home to discuss with residents and staff what the project should entail.
As the home had recently put some greenhouses and has apple trees, it was decided to create an allotment area.
To raise money for the materials to complete the projects, the NCS volunteers did a sponsored walk around the trail of giant painted frogs in Stockport. Local companies also kindly donated products.
During their volunteer day, the young people constructed two raised beds and planted them out, one with vegetable seeds and one with fruit.
Shepley House residents will be involved in helping to look after the fruit and vegetables, which will be used by the home's catering team.
Nerys Carpenter, home manager at Shepley House, said: "It's been fantastic having the young people in to do the project. They have been brilliant around the residents, who have really enjoyed sitting and chatting to them.
"The young people were very enthusiastic, came up with some good ideas and really got stuck into the project.
"Besides helping with the allotment, we wanted to create another area that residents can come and sit out in, as at the moment everyone congregates in the same space.
"We decided the building wall by the new seating area needed brightening up so it would be a nicer place to sit. The young people presented a design for this mural and everyone at Shepley House loved it.
"Being very colourful, the design fits perfectly with Borough Care's logo and strapline 'Life in Colour'."
The mural design was the idea of art loving Olivia Barry, 16, one of the NCS volunteers working on the project.