YOUNG people with learning disabilities have been given a cash boost for their award-winning work at the wildlife garden at Witley Court.

The Worcestershire youngsters, who join staff from English Heritage each month to maintain the garden, have been awarded a positive activities grant from Worcestershire County Council’s youth support services.

The £500 grant has given to the volunteers’ funds to build two new benches for visitors to sit and enjoy the surroundings, and to paint their tool shed so it blends into the environment.

The money will also allow the team to look at other ways to develop the garden further.

The gardening project has also received a £750 grant from the Worcestershire Learning Disability Partnership Board Young People’s Panel that awards money to projects they believe will make a difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities.

This money will go towards coordinating transport for the project.

The wildlife garden is the result of the work by volunteers aged 16 to 25 who took part in the award-winning 2007 project involving Wyre Forest LAFS (Laugh Achieve Fun Socialise) and Lifelinks.

Suzanne Carter, outreach manager for English Heritage for the West Midlands, who coordinates the monthly gardening club, said: “These young volunteers work really hard every month looking after the wildlife garden and making it colourful and wildlife-friendly all year round.

“They have really taken ownership of it, many being part of the group who originally landscaped it in 2007.

“It’s fantastic that we have been awarded this money from Worcestershire County Council. It means we can add new things to the garden that will enhance visitors’ experience further and enable more young people to join in who don’t have access to transport.”

Councillor Reg Farmer, chairman of Worcestershire County Council’s youth support services, said: “We are delighted to have provided the young people with this grant, which will not only further enable them to live independent lives, but continue to build upon the good work they have already carried out.”