THIS little boat's sailing days may be over, but people still like the cut of its jib!

It is brightly painted and teems with pretty flowers.

And at its helm is a delightful scarecrow skipper.

Yet just 18 months ago the boat was rotting in an unkempt corner of a garden at the Aspire Community Hub in Canal Road, Hereford.

It was filled with rubbish such as cigarette butts and tin cans.

The project to turn it into the eye-pleasing feature it is today was a joint one between two care organisations: Crossroads Care Forest of Dean and Herefordshire, and the Aspire Community Hub.

Both offer not-for-profit care services direct to the public.

The three people largely behind the boat's transformation are Claire Smeeth, Gretal Cairns and Deidre Stephenson, who have been put forward for the Care Innovator Award in the Hereford Times Health and Care Awards 2018. All three work for Crossroads Care Forest of Dean and Herefordshire.

Claire, who nominated them, said the project had brought so many people together, including members of the local community, who have donated materials and plants.

She said: "It started off that we would simply paint the boat and fill it with flower tubs. But as each week went by the group wanted to do more.

"It brought out all the skills that our clients had, and it opened up memories and reminiscences.

"It has been a great source of enjoyment and achievement. Being outdoors has stimulated senses: the smell of flowers, listening to the birds, touching the soil and planting.

"The movement involved in this activity has improved clients' mobility, and the fresh air and light exercise is enabling a good sleeping pattern.

"Family say their loved ones seem much more relaxed and less agitated when they get home."

Our health and social care awards aim to recognise hard work, dedication, innovation and high standards in the health and care sector in Herefordshire.

The awards will be presented in a glitzy ceremony later this year.

Coverage on our website includes the full list of awards up for grabs.

Our independent judging panel will sift through your nominations and identify those with the qualities they feel best match the award category criteria. They will make their decision based on the content of the nomination rather than the number of nominations received.

Join us in applauding those who contribute so much for others in Herefordshire.