A life-changing new sensory garden has been installed at a special needs school in Luton by a team of apprentices from Ryebridge Construction.
Woodlands Secondary School supports students aged 11-18 with severe learning difficulties or profound and multiple learning difficulties, many of whom also have additional complex needs including autistic spectrum disorder, epilepsy, physical or sensory impairments.
Teacher Selina Young worked with the school’s Eco Council on a vision for a sensory garden in the school grounds to provide a calm space to help students regulate away from the school environment.
But when it came to source quotes for the groundworks, local building firms came back with prohibitive estimates of between £4-5,000, well beyond her budget for the scheme.
Fortunately contacts at London Luton Airport put them in touch with Ryebridge, who agreed to carry out the work free of charge.
A team of apprentices supervised by project manager Don Wall, then spent the Easter holidays transforming a corner of the school grounds into the garden, including constructing a wooden shelter and paving footpaths.
Selina said afterwards: “Myself and the Eco Council at Woodlands would like to send a huge thank you to Ryebridge for helping us bring our ideas to life. We are excited to develop this space for the students of Woodlands to have a calm sensory space to enjoy our beautiful gardens.”
Acting headteacher Caroline Lowry said: “We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to your construction company for generously giving your time, expertise, and resources to build the new garden seating area.
“This important contribution is a key part of our vision for a sensory garden within the school grounds - a calm, nurturing space designed to help students regulate and recharge away from the busy school environment.
“The area will make a meaningful difference, allowing more students to benefit from the tranquillity and support the garden offers. We are grateful for your support in helping bring this vision to life.”
Student Mickey said: “20 out of 10, thank you for making the road”, while Justine added, "Amazing, good," with a thumbs up!
Ryebridge managing director Sean Scully said: “Giving back to the Luton community is at the very heart of what we try to achieve as a company, and I am proud of the work our lads did to ensure this facility was built quickly and to the very highest standards.
“I hope Woodlands pupils have many happy years of enjoyment out of the garden.”