Newbury College staff and students brought some colour to Newbury Market Place with the return of their annual plant and hanging basket sale.
The popular community project is led by Jane West, Registry Manager at Newbury College, whose work to support horticulture, education and local volunteering was recognised last year when she attended a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.
Jane is supported by an army of volunteers, who give their time to grow, prepare and maintain planting across the College’s Monks Lane campus. Money raised from the market stall supports the upkeep and development of the College’s green spaces, including a sensory garden accessed by students with high needs on the Foundation Learning programmes.
These spaces play an important role in college life. They give students and staff places to learn, reflect and enjoy nature. They also support wellbeing, encourage biodiversity and help make the campus a welcoming place for the whole College community.
The project has received many accolades over the years. Newbury College won the Schools and Colleges category at Newbury in Bloom in 2023 and 2024, with judges praising the involvement of staff and students, the improvements made across the campus, and the way the gardens are linked to learning and community activity.
Jane West said:
“The market stall is always a lovely way to bring the College and the local community together. So many staff give their own time, plants, skills and energy to make it happen, and we are very grateful for every contribution.”
This year, Jane is being supported on the stall by colleagues Maria Corcoran and Naomi Cripps, as well as students from the College’s Uniformed Public Services programme.
Uniformed Public Services is a popular programme for students interested in careers in the police, fire service, armed forces, paramedic services and other public service roles. Students learn from experienced teachers, take part in practical activities, and often hear from guest speakers who work in the sector.
Work placements in the UK’s public services can be difficult to arrange because of students’ age, operational demands and the need to protect key infrastructure. Newbury College supports students on these programmes to build essential career skills through meaningful volunteering and community projects.
By helping on the market stall, students are developing the professionalism, confidence and service mindset needed for future public service careers. They are also strengthening skills in teamwork, communication, leadership, delegation, resilience, problem-solving, organisation and decision-making under pressure.
Newbury College has a strong focus on “Careers, not courses”, helping students gain the skills, experience and confidence they need for the world of work. Projects like the annual plant sale also reflect the College’s purpose of creating opportunities to transform lives.
To find out more about courses at Newbury College, visit newbury-college.ac.uk