Hundreds of Children and Young People at Mary Rose Academy to Benefit from a Brand-New Sensory Garden Thanks to WellChild, Propp, and Firmitas
A heartwarming community project has transformed the outdoor space at Mary Rose Academy in Portsmouth over the past week, creating an accessible and inclusive garden for children with complex needs. This ambitious project was powered by dedicated volunteers from Propp and Firmitas Financial Services, who are leading companies in the community, and was coordinated by WellChild, the national charity for seriously ill children.
The transformation project, part of WellChild’s ‘Helping Hands’ programme, took place over a four-day period (12-16 Aug) while the students were on school holidays. The initiative has revitalised the garden area, making it more accessible, engaging, and enjoyable for its students with complex medical needs.
Previously, this area was overgrown and inaccessible to wheelchair users, limiting its use for many of the students. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the volunteers, the garden has now been completely transformed. The finished garden is fully wheelchair accessible and features several fun sensory elements, including a blackboard, coloured panels, a mirrored wall, flowers, and more. A new memory garden has also been created, providing a calm, quiet space for staff, pupils, and parents to remember students who are sadly no longer with us.
Other additions to the space include:
- Raised garden beds: To allow wheelchair access and enable children of all abilities to participate in gardening activities.
- Sensory areas: Incorporating plants, textures, and sounds that provide sensory stimulation and therapeutic benefits.
- Shaded seating areas: Offering comfortable spaces for rest and relaxation.
- Accessible pathways: Ensuring easy navigation for children with mobility issues.
- Interactive play zones: Promoting physical activity and social interaction among students.
The project at Mary Rose Academy was made possible by the generous support of corporate partners Propp and Firmitas, whose volunteers worked tirelessly to complete the garden. The team even received a surprise visit from Portsmouth goalkeeping legend, Alan Knight MBE, which added an extra layer of excitement to the project.
WellChild’s ‘Helping Hands’ programme is renowned for transforming around 25 private gardens each year, enriching lives of seriously ill children across the country by making their garden spaces safe and accessible. However, this project at Mary Rose Academy stands out due to its community-based approach, with the potential to benefit a significantly larger number of children.
“We were thrilled to partner with Propp and Firmitas on this incredible community project. Over the course of the week, the garden has become a place to make happy memories and truly enrich the lives of hundreds of children with complex medical needs over the next decade and beyond, allowing them to thrive in their communities with their families and friends.”
“Propp and Firmitas’ involvement in this project underscores both company’s commitment to giving back to the community. With a team of up to 15 enthusiastic volunteers per day, Propp and Firmitas provided the peoplepower and resources necessary to bring this ambitious vision to life. This collaboration with WellChild highlights the power of corporate social responsibility in driving positive change and making a tangible difference in the lives of local children.”
Peter Williams, CEO at Propp said: “What a privilege it has been to take on the most ambitious project to date at the Mary Rose Academy, knowing the impact it will have on hundreds of local children. We have already undertaken four smaller projects for local families, but the scale of this transformation made it a particularly tough project with a tight deadline in the baking heat.
I couldn’t be prouder of the team for their grit and determination. Knowing the benefit this rejuvenated space will have on the students here makes every bruise and blister worth it. The work WellChild does is lifechanging to the lives of so many children with complex health needs, and it has been an enormous privilege to be a part of it.”
