A previously bare and uninviting plot of Telford land has been filled with the sights, sounds, touches and smells of a sensory garden for people with learning disabilities and high level care needs.
The garden, at Lakewood Wellbeing Centre in Wellington, contains a water feature, wind chimes, garden arch and bench and a variety of herbs and other plants.
It was the idea of staff and volunteers at the centre and has been created with help and donations from Epson and Lakeside Plant and Garden Centre.
An Epson spokesman said: “Epson Telford are pleased to be able to support the local community with projects such as these, we strive to be a good member of the community through volunteer work and donations
“We heard from members of Lakewood Wellbeing Centre that they were looking to create a sensory garden and Epson thought it would be a good cause to support and give back a little to the community.”
Kevin Turley, assistant at Lakeside Plant Centre said: “We are pleased to be supporting Epson with this and we are proud to have put the design together and help bring the garden to fruition.”
Councillor Arnold England, cabinet member for Adult Social Care, said: “This garden greatly complements the state-of-the-art sensory room at this recently opened centre and comes just in time for summer!
“People using the centre can now benefit from the smells of herbs and flowers, be able to touch the plants, listen to the waterfall or windchimes and be involved in the planting of the garden.
“This centre opened in March as a result of the Council’s commitment to services and facilities for the most vulnerable residents in the borough. I am delighted and grateful for the support it has received from local businesses which have helped create this garden.”
Lakewood Court and Wellbeing Centre provides day opportunities for adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities and complex care needs including dementia.
It is part of the Council's ‘My Options - Activity Wellbeing and Care Services’ which provide a wide range of person-centred support to vulnerable adults and young people including support for people with learning disabilities, mental health needs, young people leaving care and older people to support them to live a healthy and happy life, promoting independence, choice and community involvement.
Services include registered residential support, Community Activity and Wellbeing services, a ‘Shared Lives’ scheme as well as providing individual support to people in the community and in their own homes.
For more information about My Options Services visit www.myoptionstelford.co.uk or call My Options on 01952 381317.
