Volunteers Transform Garden, Creating Safe Outdoor Space for Six-Year-Old Bella
Long-term supporters St. James's Place joined our team to give Bella a safe, accessible and fun garden where she can play and explore independently.
Volunteers from St. James’s Place joined our team to create a safe, accessible, and stimulating outdoor space for six-year-old Bella. Bella has Down syndrome, hypermobility/hip dysplasia, and experiences low/increased muscle tone, as well as sleep apnea, sensory processing disorder, developmental delay, and learning difficulties. She uses Makaton to communicate with friends and family.
Over the course of two days, the dedicated St. James’s Place volunteers helped us transform Bella’s garden into a safe, outdoor space designed especially for her needs.
The team began by clearing the uneven ground, ensuring a level and safe surface to work on. With the foundation set, the team then constructed a raised timber decking frame, providing Bella with a stable platform to explore and enjoy the outdoors. Composite decking boards were then fixed onto the frame and handrails and a ramp were added to enhance the safety and accessibility for Bella.
The team also transformed an area of the garden into a play area using soft outdoor play mats. The finishing touches were then added; a custom-built mud kitchen and a multi-colored Perspex light deflector. These creative installations were designed by our team to provide Bella with exciting sensory experiences.
The impact of this Helping Hands project extends far beyond the physical changes to the garden. Bella and her family now have a welcoming outdoor space where they can relax, play, create memories, and enjoy quality time together.
This garden transformation has given Bella a safe space where she can explore and play independently. A huge thank you to St. James’s Place volunteers for their incredible long-term support and for making this project for Bella possible.
