Funding learning opportunities and the support of student health and wellbeing

One of the National Garden Scheme’s Gardens and Health beneficiaries, Treloar’s is the UK’s leading centre for severely disabled children and young people.  Around 170 students, aged between 2 and 25 years, attend the School and College that focuses on the students’ abilities rather than their disabilities, helping them to work towards a future that is as independent as possible.

“As part of our support for Gardens and Health beneficiaries we donated £85,000 to Treloar’s to help fund a new Horticulture & Outdoor Learning Centre to complement other onsite outdoor learning facilities,” explains CEO, George Plumptre. “The ambitious and inspirational project aims to offer more vocational learning opportunities and therapeutic benefits for students, and we are thrilled that despite the restrictions placed on us all during 2020, that work on Phase 1 of the centre has progressed a pace.”

The works on the Sensory Garden and the greenhouse refurbishment are almost complete and after a few finishing touches students will be able to start using the new facilities from December for both educational and leisure activities.

“The greenhouse has undergone a complete refurbishment with installations of a new heater and sun canopy which means that the temperature can be better regulated and our students will be able to use the greenhouse all year round,” explains Treloar’s Lucinda Gillingham. “A section of the greenhouse is also now home to a small animal run and petting area so students can learn about animal care.”

“We are hugely grateful to all the generous donations to our Horticulture & Outdoor Learning Centre,” adds Mia Dodsworth, Head of Treloar School. “It is so exciting that the Centre will soon be open for our students to use. Not only will it provide some excellent outdoor learning opportunities for students but it will also offer support to their overall health and wellbeing. Students and teachers are equally thrilled to have this new learning space and it will be exceptionally well used going forward.”

For more on the National Garden Scheme’s Gardens and Health programme click here
For more on Treloar’s click here

Lead photo: student and teacher enjoying a visit to the Thatched Cottage in Hampshire as part of the support from the National Garden Scheme – copyright Julie Skelton