Volunteers lead the way with special school garden project
The first phase of a project to create an outdoor sensory garden and play/learning area at a Vale of Glamorgan special school is underway.
Ashgrove School in Penarth, which caters on a day/residential basis for children with autism, has been awarded a £5,000 'Awards for All’ lottery grant for the scheme at their Sully Road complex.
The whole project is a joint venture between the school, The Artery, the Vale Healthy Schools Scheme, which is co-ordinated by the National Public Health Service through the Local Public Health Team, and actively supported by the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Vale Local Health Board (LHB), and Student Volunteering Cardiff.
The design has been a collaboration between school staff and Cassy Healey, from The Artery, who will also contribute to the second stage of the development and a lot of the outdoor art work.
The first phase of the development comprised the preparation of a site and the building of a polytunnel, with a group of staff, student and community volunteers and healthy schools support officer Marie Johnson involved in a 'demanding day.'
The current lottery grant covers the first phase of the project, and it is hoped to submit a further application to take the project through to fruition over the next two to three years.
Marie Johnson said: "This long-awaited project will enhance the sensory development of pupils and widen their experience of outdoor learning and play. The work so far is a credit to the school and the extensive commitment of all staff.
"There is a lot of work to follow in the weeks ahead and classes from the school will be making their own individual contributions to the area."
Teacher Kerry Cole said: “The garden will be a haven for pupils and staff. It is designed to be both a stimulating and calm environment and will prove really popular with everyone in the school. We would like to thank all the volunteers who are helping with the project."
Caption for pics: More than 30 volunteers prepare the ground for the first phase of a project to create an outdoor sensory garden and play/learning area at Ashgrove Special School in Penarth, which caters on a day/residential basis for children with autism. The school has been awarded a £5,000 'Awards for All’ lottery grant for the scheme.