Treloar’s … project complete

Lead image: Alan Titchmarsh cuts the ribbon for the new Outdoor Learning Centre with students Harry and Joe © Treloar’s

It’s always rewarding to see where our donations go, the amazing projects they support, and their lasting legacy. In 2018, Treloar School and College, Hampshire – that provides education for disabled young people – received a Gardens and Health donation of £85,000 to help fund a new Outdoor Learning Centre.

Originally due for completion in 2020, the pandemic delayed the new facility designed to serve all 165 disabled children and young people who attend the school.

In July 2021 the new centre was finally opened by Treloar’s Patron, Alan Titchmarsh who said, “It was such an honour to be there and to be part of it.  Outdoor learning is vital for our health as individuals and as a community, and Treloar’s are a wonderful example of how that connection with nature can be achieved and how it benefits us all.”

National Garden Scheme Chief Executive, George Plumptre also attended the opening ceremony and said afterwards, “The new Outdoor Learning Centre for Treloar’s is precisely the kind of Gardens and Health project that the National Garden Scheme is proud to support. Beautifully conceived for its particular audience, the centre will make an immediate and lasting impact on the lives of young people and make a substantial contribution to their education.”

The new Centre includes a Sensory Garden, fully accessible changing facility and the greenhouse refurbishment and has been in full use from the spring 2021 term. It has transformed Treloar’s outdoor provision and provides a sanctuary for students to explore and learn, reinforcing the fact that learning does not always have to take place in the classroom.

The overall area and greenhouse has been well used since opening, and in the summer months was home to fruit and vegetables that students grew for their own enjoyment and to sell to staff and visitors through class enterprises. The wonderful Sensory Garden also provides numerous opportunities for learning or just enjoying quiet time. Large outdoor mirrors have been used by students studying self portrait, extending the learning that has taken place in class that day out into the garden. Overall, growing, planting, exploring and getting their hands dirty are among the students favourite activities.

This update was originally published in our Impact Report 2021: A year of continuity and commitment – over £3 million donated. You can read it here

To read more about our Gardens and Health beneficiaries click here