LOCAL students have been doing their bit to help design a new ‘healing garden’ for Cornwall’s children’s hospital.

Children at Lifton Community Academy took part in a design workshop for the new Women and Children’s Hospital in Truro. The young people worked alongside local designers and architects as part of a Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust project.

Pupils were tasked with developing ideas for a “Healing Garden” as part of the wider hospital project, contributing creative thinking to what will be a key outdoor space in the new development.

The session at Launceston College forms part of the trust’s long-term programme to deliver a modern, purpose-built hospital for women and children, designed to improve patient experience, safety and family-centred care.

Lifton pupils explored ideas around wellbeing, nature and recovery, producing imaginative designs that reflected a strong understanding of how outdoor spaces can support healing. Staff praised their creativity, teamwork and thoughtful approach throughout the day.

Adam Hill, headteacher at Lifton Community Academy, has praised the school’s Year 5 pupils for their hard work during the session.

He said: “Year 5 really impressed us with their engagement in the design process. Working alongside architects and designers gave them a real insight into how major hospital projects are developed, and their ideas for the Healing Garden were imaginative and thoughtful.”

Tracey Cleverly, CEO of Learning Academy Partnership, added that these experiences allow pupils to connect their learning with real-life projects.

She said: “Opportunities like this are a great example of how our schools connect learning with real community projects. By involving pupils in the design of the new Women and Children’s Hospital, we’re helping them see how their ideas can contribute to something that will benefit families across Cornwall for years to come.”