Posted on 27th Jul
Volunteer students at Newark Orchard School completed a community improvement project, led by Volunteer it Yourself (VIY), to create a sensory garden.
Supported by Newark and Sherwood Council, through funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the project provided practical skills for local young people while creating a space to help students learn and enjoy the outdoors together.
The garden is on a previously under-utilised space. Volunteers prepared the surface to install a hardcore pathway around the perimeter and in the centre of the garden.
The students also built bespoke seating and child-friendly planters in the garden, hoping to ensure this fully-accessible space can be enjoyed by all students, and added interactive learning and creativity opportunities.
The project has enabled the young volunteers to develop vital new skills and accreditations that could help them pursue a future career or interest, in addition to providing students at the school with valuable space they can take pride in.
Coun Rowan Cozens, deputy leader of the district council, said: “It was fantastic to attend the official opening of the sensory garden at Newark Orchard School.
“The students showed me round the garden with rightful pride, describing their own contributions as we walked round, from Josh moving the hardcore, to Sapphire and her wonderful fairy creations.
“They have all been involved to make it a very special place, full of meaningful touches and individual stories.
“I particularly enjoyed the name panel and the yarn-bombed tree trunks.
“I am really pleased we have been able to support, through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, this brilliant project.
“What an amazing place, made by amazing people!”
