YOUNG volunteers are digging deep to transform an unloved corner of a college campus into an oasis of calm for special needs students.

A team of 16 and 17-year-olds are creating a sensory garden at the Aspire Centre, which is on Bishop Auckland College’s Spennymoor campus.

Earlier this week they cleared rubbish and weeds from the overgrown land, where an earlier proposal to create an allotment had not yet materialised.

They have started laying a wheelchair friendly path to improve accessibility and will add brightly coloured, scented plants and wind chimes to stimulate the senses of sight, smell and sound.

It is hoped that when students return to the centre, which teaches 14 to 25-year-olds with special learning difficulties and disabilities life and work skills, after the summer break they will enjoy the new outdoor space.

Margaret Malcolm, special educational needs co-ordinator, said: “The garden is a social space, somewhere to congregate, sometimes they take pets out there and can relax in familiar surroundings.

“It is a valuable space where they feel comfortable and secure.

“The young volunteers have worked well and are doing a really great job, ensuring it meets the students’ needs which we and they will appreciate.”

The volunteers got involved in the project when they signed up to the National Citizen Service to boost their own skills and experience while working on a project that benefits the community.

Jonathan Payne, 17, of Bishop Auckland, said: “We all wanted to be part of this and have come together as a team, are learning and enjoying it ourselves while doing good for the community and creating something that people need.”

They took part in team building exercises and met at Bishop Auckland College to consider a range of projects before they learnt about the Aspire Centre garden.

Freya Stoddart, 16, of Durham, said: “Creating a sensory garden sounded liked a really good idea and we hope the students will enjoy it and look after it.”

The group secured a £300 grant from mobile phone operator O2’s Think Big social action scheme and plants and materials were donated by DIY stores Homebase and B&Q, in Bishop Auckland.

Zoe Simmonite, 16, of Stanhope, added: “Helping the community is an achievement, quite a lot of people don’t look at their community or disabled people but we are doing something to help.

“We hope they enjoy and look forward to coming back to see it is being used.”