Milton Grange Care Home in Carluke, part of Popular Care, has launched a new partnership with local youth charity Street Level. The collaboration began with a visit from young people involved in Street Level's Grafters Gardening Project, aiming to rejuvenate the home's outdoor spaces and build lasting connections between residents and volunteers.
First session brings residents and volunteers together
During the inaugural session, residents and young volunteers worked side by side to create colourful hanging baskets and plant flowers in the garden. The project will pause for the school summer holidays and resume in the Autumn term, with plans to build raised planters and continue developing the gardens together.
Youth worker leads sessions
The sessions are led by youth worker Laura, who joined Street Level in January 2025 and brings nearly 15 years of experience in community development within greenspaces. She leads the Grafters Gardening Project, which supports five different school groups working toward recognised awards including the John Muir Award, Junior Foresters Award and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. The project also involves Rev Elijah Obinna, Minister of St John's Church, Carluke, and Clergy Director for Street Level.
The hanging baskets were made possible through fundraising efforts by the young people themselves, who climbed Tinto Hill to raise money for the necessary materials.
Street Level's long-standing community role
Street Level has been at the heart of the Carluke community for more than 30 years. Originally established to support young people and provide positive opportunities, the charity has evolved into a respected community organisation with strong links to Carluke High School and local primary schools, encouraging young people to develop confidence, skills and lasting community connections.
Care home manager praises partnership
Alice Karran, home manager at Milton Grange Care Home, said: “We were delighted to welcome the Street Level team and the young people to Milton Grange.
“It was wonderful to see residents and students working side by side, chatting, laughing and creating something beautiful together.
“The hanging baskets have already brightened up our outdoor spaces, but the real impact has been the relationships that have started to develop.
“We are incredibly grateful that the young people raised the funds themselves to provide all the materials, and we’re really looking forward to welcoming them back after the summer holidays to continue transforming our gardens with raised planters and, most importantly, spending more time with our residents.
“Partnerships like this demonstrate the power of bringing generations together. Our residents have so much life experience to share, while the young people bring enthusiasm, energy and fresh ideas.
“It’s a wonderful combination and we’re excited to see the partnership continue to flourish.”
