Volunteers have picked up their spades and rakes to get a school eco garden into great shape for the summer term. Five people from the local business Water Plus took part in the action to help pupils at Co-op Academy Grove learn more about nature. The team helped lay bark and cut back overgrown sections to make the area easier for the children to access.
This sensory garden will now serve as a vibrant outdoor classroom and a base for the school's busy Eco Club. Deborah Zaher at Co-op Academies Trust worked with the team during the day to help transform the space. She said: "Huge thank you to the amazing volunteers from Water Plus! They were an incredible team to work with on the day, enthusiastic and doing whatever needed to be done to help transform this learning space for the children of Co-op Academy Grove."
The project is part of a wider effort by the Stoke-on-Trent business to support local community groups and foodbanks. Ashleigh Hampson at Water Plus said: "It was really nice to be outdoors and making such a difference, as our team's passionate about providing great customer service, building skills for the future and helping customers with their sustainability goals. It's been great teaming-up with one of our customers to deliver a lasting impact for communities, while raising awareness around positive environmental action to take and I can't wait to see what the children do with the space."
The headteacher of the school in Northwood also met with the team to thank them for their kind-hearted support. Mrs Shirley Carrigan at Co-op Academy Grove said: "Thank you to the great and kind-hearted Water Plus team in helping us create such a great location for learning. Sustainability isn't just a topic in the curriculum — it's a value that shapes character and community. Shining a light on this area empowers young people for the future. With every eco project and every student-led garden, young people are learning that sustainability isn't an abstract idea — it's something they can get involved with, shape with their own hands and make a positive difference. It's by nurturing these values now that we're helping build a generation ready to help care for their communities and their planet."
The academy is part of a larger trust that supports more than 21,000 students across 38 different schools and colleges. Water Plus provides a paid day of volunteering for its staff every year to encourage more local support for the planet. Families can find out more about the project and the school by visiting the official Co-op Academy Grove website.
