GREEN-FINGERED volunteers have transformed a care home garden in Glasgow's East End.

The group from Enable Scotland's Inspire Me project, which supports young people who have a learning disability, worked for six months to improve the resident gardens at Carntyne Gardens sheltered housing and care home.

They have land-scaped, designed and built a two-tier garden with a pond, paths, rose and herb gardens.

A sensory garden has also been created for residents who have Alzheimer's and a berry garden has been planted so residents can make jam. Where possible they sourced items locally and have planted beds where residents can grow their own vegetables.

Jamie Gilday, a supported employment coordinator with Enable Scotland and leader of the project, said: "The group has worked incredibly hard, but we have also had a lot of fun. The project has helped to break down barriers between old and young, as well as those who have a disability and those who do not.

"The volunteers and residents have got to know one another and now when we go along we are inundated with offers of cups of soup and sweets.

"The purpose of the Enable Scotland Inspire Me project is to give people who have a learning disability the opportunity to develop work-related skills and hopefully use these as a platform into paid employment.

"We also hoped that residents would be inspired by our hard work to become more active themselves, improving health and wellbeing all round."

Inspire Me was launched in July 2011 and aims to support 20,000 young people who have a learning disability in the UK.

The project provides activities and training that will give young people who have a learning disability the chance to learn skills and to build confidence.

Brian Logan, chief executive of Bield, which runs Carntyne Gardens, said: "We are always keen to get involved in local community projects and are always looking at different ways in which we involve the wider community."

"The project at Carnytne Gardens was a great way to get involved but also a way in which to help improve the outdoor space at the complex, ensuring that residents are experiencing life to the full while they are living with us."

matty.sutton@ eveningtimes.co.uk