A NEW community and sensory vegetable garden has been officially opened at Bromsgrove’s Chadsgrove Educational Trust Specialist College.
The garden project was a scheme wholly envisioned and steered by the college students.
Through Student Ambassador meetings, they expressed their desire to see the garden area improved so they could enjoy the outdoors and learn new skills.
Students combined this vision with the aim of helping others in the local community who have done so much to assist them.
Students were inspired to donate produce they would grow in the garden to local community projects such as Chadsgrove Cosy Cafe, St Basils Cafe and the Catshill Foodbank. The project won the college a Natspec award for ‘Innovation in Student Voice’.
The garden before the revamp. s
The vegetable garden opening ceremony took place last and was well-attended by students, staff, college directors, donors to the project and key community members who have supported Chadsgrove.
The official opening
Kevin Hatch, from Severn Trent, officially opened the garden in recognition of the instrumental work both himself and his team at the water company completed. They helped with crucial groundworks to create firm foundations for the transformation to take place.
After a successful fundraising campaign, the garden now features raised planters for students of all abilities to nurture and grow their vegetables in, wide accessible paths for students who use wheelchairs or need assistance to move around easily, an eco-friendly watering system and an undercover outdoor learning space which can be used all year round.
The sensory garden is equipped with a range of adaptive tools and features a variety of sensory-stimulating plants, including fragrant herbs, vibrant flowers and textured foliage, along with traditional vegetables, such as potatoes, broad beans, shallots and cabbages.
The garden after the redevelopment. s
The garden also serves as an outdoor classroom, offering hands-on learning opportunities which complement the college curriculum.
‘Immensely proud of the students’
Hayley Jepson, business manager at Chadsgrove College, said “We are immensely proud of our students for designing such an accessible, sensory vegetable garden.
“Designed by the students for the students, this garden encapsulates all that we do at Chadsgrove College – empowering our students to be heard, promoting inclusivity and maximising learning opportunities.”
The garden now offers a multi-sensory environment where students can touch, smell, see, and even taste what they have grown, helping stimulate their senses and enhance their wellbeing – all whilst benefiting their local community.
The celebration concluded with an afternoon tea party in the garden, featuring a variety of refreshments prepared and served by students as part of their independent living skills learning.
Chadsgrove Specialist College would like to thank everyone who has supported this project.
The college is set to harvest its first yield in the coming days with vegetables being sold at their Summer Fete with the proceeds going to Catshill Foodbank to help support the local community.
