Patients at an end-of-life care hospice got to see the early blooming of flowers planted by Dorset students last autumn. 

In September last year, students from Beaminster School, St Osmund's C of E Middle School, and Thomas Hardye School gathered to plant bulbs on Weldmar Hospicecare's Inpatient Unit gardens at the site in Dorchester.

Adult volunteers were also in attendance to help create a scenic, tranquil environment for patients and loved ones at the hospice. 

Daffodils and snowdrops have now started to flower. 

James O'Neill, Marketing and Communications Lead for Weldmar Hospicecare, said: “The daffodils and snowdrops enhance our beautiful, relaxing, and calming garden environment for patients and their loved ones.

Dorset Echo: Snowdrops growing on the Weldmar Hospicecare's Inpatient Unit gardens

“There are hoverflies, bumblebees and other flying insects buzzing around, in and out of the trumpets of the daffodils, so a great source of early nectar.”

The event was organised by Little Green Change - a non-profit social enterprise based in Lyme Regis, which provides environmental education and opportunities for primary and secondary-aged children in schools and communities across the UK.

Dorset Echo: Students planting bulbs at Weldmar Hospicecare's Inpatient Unit gardens

Clare Matheson, the company’s founder and director, added: “Early flowering plants such as daffodils and snowdrops are so vital for a healthy ecosystem, and they also help to raise the spirits of so many people, adding colour to green spaces and signifying the coming of the warmer, spring weather.

“It's been wonderful working with Weldmar Hospicecare who are an amazing charity that have such a huge impact on so many people. We are looking forward to doing further environmental activities with them in 2024.

"Thank you to our event sponsors, The Gardens Group and Taylors Bulbs, for generously donating the bulbs and gardening gloves required for our event."