Hafan y Waun residents celebrate new accessible garden furniture crafted by local learners
Residents of Hafan y Waun have welcomed a newly built wheelchair accessible planting and potting table, along with a garden bench featuring built in planters, crafted by learners attending the alternative curriculum carpentry course at Hyfforddiant Ceredigion Training (HCT).
Over the past six weeks, the students worked closely with their training advisors and Children & Young People Skills Mentors to design and build practical pieces of garden furniture that respond to community needs, while developing valuable hands on vocational skills.
To mark the donation, Hafan y Waun residents hosted the learners for afternoon tea, where everyone joined in planting a collection of spring bulbs including daffodils, hyacinths, violas and primroses. The activity brought together generations and showcased the community spirit at the heart of the project.
“It was great to see the local youngsters who had worked hard on their Ceredigion Training courses to build an accessible potting table and bench with planters,” said Dic Evans, a resident at Hafan y Waun. “They came to help us set them up and planted flowers with us under the supervision of their training advisor Martin and Mentor Lauren. Many plants were planted, and we look forward to seeing them grow to brighten up our summer.”
Learners involved in the project also spoke about the positive impact on their development.
Tarek Hemmings and Aled Mathews, who attend the carpentry classes at HCT, said: “We have enjoyed making the bench as a team and it has helped us with our communication skills and teamwork as a group.”
Joseph Walley added: “Building the planter benches has helped us develop our measuring and marking skills and improved our abilities using the drill.”
A Council spokesperson said: "It's brilliant to see HCT learners giving something back to their community while learning valuable skills and Hafan y Waun residents connecting together. Well done all involved".
The accessible table will now enable a number of residents to take part in gardening on site, offering both practical support and a lasting, colourful reminder of the collaborative effort that brought the project to life.
The initiative was supported by Ceredigion County Councils Age Friendly Grant and delivered in partnership with Lifelong Learning and Skills, the Engagement and Attainment Service, and the Direct Services Team.
07/04/2026