Seven horticultural apprentices from Oldham College helped build an NHS mental health and wellbeing garden that received a Silver-Gilt medal at this year's Southport Flower Show.

They worked on the garden with three NHS Practical Horticultural Skills learners, service users and hospital volunteers. Titled 'Grow Your Own Rainbow - Hope, Health and Happiness', it was designed to support mental health and wellbeing.

The apprentices contributed to building and planting work. They planted and pruned, spread mulch on raised beds, picked out and identified plants, used scaled plans and responded as the build changed.

Thomas Mallon, who is completing the Level 2 Horticulture/Landscape Operative apprenticeship while working at Knowsley Council, said: "I enjoyed getting stuck in as part of a team to create something great, and meeting new people. I also enjoyed seeing the difference we made from start to finish."

He added: "Being involved in a project that will help people's mental health makes me very proud. I have had friends and family on both sides, from people who work in the mental health sector in the NHS to people who have used the services provided."

Ruari Roche, also completing the apprenticeship while working at Knowsley Council, said: "I enjoyed having the opportunity to help build a garden with great features and a variety of plants. I enjoyed seeing the progress as we got further into the project."

He said: "It's rewarding and motivating to know that it could make a difference to others."

Nick Atkinson, Tutor Assessor in Horticulture at Oldham College, said the project gave learners the chance to work with apprentices from different employers. His background includes around seven years of volunteering in NHS mental health horticulture, and 15 years of work on show gardens at Southport Flower Show.

He said: "From the comments made by the apprentices, you can tell how much of a difference completing the garden made to them."

With their employer's support, the apprentices were keen enough to come back for an extra, unplanned day to keep working on the garden. The finished garden was also featured on BBC Breakfast.

Oldham College runs the Level 2 Horticulture/Landscape Operative apprenticeship.