A new sensory garden at the Herald Resource Centre in Shefford, Bedfordshire, has been opened by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Susan Lousada, and the Mayor of Shefford, Ken Pollard.
The garden belonging to learning disability charity Hft was bare and uninspiring so staff raised money to transform the space.
Hft supports 32 learning disabled adults who attend on various days through the week
It has taken 111 volunteer hours to see the garden go from being an empty patio area with only three “sad-looking” bedding planters to a relaxing haven where people can enjoy the space with friends. For those who prefer some quite time, there are outdoor sofas under a large pergola and a patio area with tables and chairs for soaking up the sun.
Teresa Mead, a community support worker at Hft said:
‘With much help and support, we have turned the space into a beautiful and tranquil area that boasts a large seating area with a pergola, swing chair, tactile hexagons lining the fence, wind-spinners, mirrored balls and even an LED colour changing sensory water table.’
The planters are now filled with tactile plants and there is an arch covered in rose bushes. There is also a large greenhouse fully fitted out with new tools, work tables and accessories needed to continue and maintain the gardening sessions run at the centre.
The garden has been extended onto the patio outside the dining area, which has also had a spruce up, including the addition of new benches, a herb garden and a custom-made table accessible for wheelchair users.
A local trust donated nearly £4,000 for the project and £1,550 was raised by Teresa, her friends and family last August by doing a 10-mile sponsored walk at Grafham Waters.
A group of learning disabled people who attend the day service did their part by planting seeds and flowers, painting the planters and choosing the plants at the local garden centre.
One of the parents who attended the opening said:
‘My son had a lot of fun in the making of the garden and he will now get pleasure from it.’
Another added:
‘What I have seen today is a wonderful achievement … creating valuable space for the day centre.’
