Students from Northampton Saints Foundation’s Engage Plus programme have teamed up with HORIBA UK to design and create a Japanese-inspired wellbeing garden for service users at The Hope Centre, providing a peaceful space supporting both physical and mental wellbeing.
As part of the project, students from the Foundation’s Engage Plus programme, which is taught in partnership with Northampton College, were tasked with designing a garden that reflected both the needs and aspirations of The Hope Centre’s service users. Inspired by traditional Japanese gardens and their calming qualities, participants carefully considered how the space could promote wellbeing, encourage creativity, and offer residents somewhere to relax and reconnect.
The project formed part of the students work experience which allows them to learn new skills and ignite a passion or interest in their journey to a career. Many of the young people involved in the programme face significant barriers, including disengagement from education and challenges around employment. Through the project, however, they demonstrated creativity, resilience, and teamwork while helping to create something truly meaningful for others.
On the day of the build, volunteers from HORIBA UK joined the young people to bring the garden to life, working side by side to transform the outdoor space. Additional support came from other local businesses, including MV Kelly, Siemens, ADI, Rotary, Sonepar, Semilog Services, Barrett Homes, Carlsberg, and Kier who contributed by planting fruit and vegetable trees, fence painting, garden maintaining and helping to enhance the wider grounds of The Hope Centre. Together, these efforts created a peaceful sanctuary for residents, offering opportunities to grow fresh produce, take part in outdoor activities, like painting, and support both physical and mental wellbeing.
The completed garden now offers residents and service users a dedicated outdoor sanctuary where they can spend time reflecting, taking part in activities such as painting, and even growing fresh produce.
Reflecting on the initiative, Craig Phillips Head of Employability and Skills at Northampton Saints Foundation said “Projects like this show young people what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared purpose. Not only have they developed practical skills, confidence, and teamwork, but they’ve also had the opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of others at The Hope Centre. Seeing the positive impact on service users has been incredibly rewarding for everyone involved.”
The garden was officially unveiled on Thursday 30 April during a special event attended by outgoing Mayor, Cllr Jane Birch, alongside representatives from Northampton Saints Foundation, HORIBA UK, and residents of The Hope Centre. The event provided an opportunity to celebrate the power of partnership working and the positive impact community collaboration can have.
Chris Potter, Fundraising, Communications and Marketing Manager at The Hope Centre, highlighted the significance of the new space for residents “This project means so much to everyone at The Hope Centre and to the people who use our services. Having a dedicated space like this gives residents somewhere they can step away, reflect, and reconnect with themselves and others. What makes this garden truly special is the story behind it, the young people who designed it, the volunteers who brought it to life, and the organisations that came together to make it happen.”
Aimee Baker, CSR Coordinator at HORIBA UK, added “This has truly been a community project with a difference. It’s inspiring to see what can be achieved when local businesses, charities, and young people collaborate towards a common goal. Projects like this create lasting outcomes for the community while helping to build confidence, skills, and a sense of belonging.”
The Foundation would like to thank everyone involved, including our hardworking students, volunteers from HORIBA UK, local businesses, and partners whose support helped bring this special project to life and create a lasting space for wellbeing at The Hope Centre.