College Students Help Transform Local Nursery Outdoor Space

Students from the Level 6 Technical Construction Skills (TCS) course at the College have teamed up with St Mungo’s Nursery to deliver a community project aimed at revitalising the nursery’s outdoor play area for local children.

The partnership began after the nursery approached the College seeking support to repair damaged outdoor furniture and create new play equipment for the children. With limited funding available, staff and students were eager to use their skills to help make a positive impact within the local community.

Working under the guidance of lecturer Colin Barrowman, the TCS students visited the nursery site to assess the space and better understand the needs of staff and children before developing their designs. Using a combination of donated and recycled materials, the students planned and constructed a range of imaginative outdoor features including a new sandpit, a wooden play car and a specially designed picnic bench with a chalkboard tabletop to encourage creative play and learning.

The projects were completed to a high standard by the students, with additional support from the College’s Painting and Decorating department, showcasing the strong cross-department collaboration taking place across the College.

Alongside the construction work, staff and students also volunteered their time to help tidy and improve the nursery grounds, preparing the area for the new installations and helping create a refreshed and welcoming outdoor environment for the children.

The initiative not only provided the nursery with valuable new resources, but also gave students practical hands-on experience in design, construction, teamwork and community engagement.

Lecturer Colin Barrowman said: “This project gave our students a fantastic opportunity to apply their skills in a real-world setting while supporting an important local community organisation. Everyone involved took great pride in the work, and it was rewarding to see the positive difference it has made for the nursery and the children.”

Staff at St Mungo’s Nursery expressed their appreciation for the support provided by the College, praising the students’ professionalism, creativity and commitment throughout the project.