A WEE COUNTY care home has welcomed a new garden project which will see stronger links to the community being built.

Residents at The Orchard in Tullibody have put their "best boot forward" and have been busy building community links with local nurseries and primary schools via their Wellington Boot Garden Project.

The care home has enlisted the help of local school children to create beautiful garden displays using donated wellington boots filled with compost and bedding plants.

The link-up has so far proved to be a great success, encouraging both young and old to enjoy some light gardening as well as helping to create inter-generational bonds within the local community.

Fiona Johnstone, home manager at The Orchard told the Advertiser how the residents love getting to work on a project with young people.

She said: "They loved taking part in the gardening project and seeing the finished results. The project was a great idea has helped bring like-minded individuals from different generations together."

Fiona added that everyone in the home is also excited about more events coming up, including an open day taking place this Friday, June 28.

Yvonne Graham, home manager at Forthbank care home in Stirling, recognised as the leading home in the projected said: "The Wellington Boot Garden Project was thoroughly enjoyed by both our Residents and community participants.

"The finished project has transformed a section of our grounds into a welcoming feature of the home and helped different generations connect via a mutual interest."

Mike Shea, area director at HC-One – the company which runs the care home – also praised the initiative.

He added: "Projects like this play a key role in the wellbeing of residents in our care homes, involving the local community in events can help to avoid social isolation and provide the opportunity for people to form new friendships.

"Thank you to all of the local schools and nurseries that contributed and supported our project."