Summer opening of Ards training and resource centres new sensory garden goes totally tropical
The air was certainly tropical at Ards Training and Resource Centre as the service users, their families and staff donned grass skirts, garlands and clutched mocktails in coconuts to celebrate the opening of its new sensory garden.
What was once a cement waste ground has been lovingly transformed into a wheelchair accessible oasis of plants, herbs, musical instruments and seating areas for everyone to enjoy.
One of 50 service users, David McKeag, has been coming to the centre for adults with learning disabilities since 1975. He was astounded by the changes. “I am so happy. Everyone was really excited to see it as we weren’t allowed in the area while the work was being done. I can’t wait to do some gardening in it.”
The Centre’s Manager Elaine Crawford explained, “It means the absolute world. I have a gardening group who will really appreciate growing their vegetables, taking them home and sharing them with their parents. It’s beautiful and we can’t wait to have barbeques. We’re absolutely delighted!
“The space before was dreadful. There were four raised cement beds and there was nowhere really for wheelchair access. It wasn’t colourful or sensory. The new garden really will be enjoyed by the service users and their families. They deserve that.”
Many of the service users were able to enjoy the incredible beauty room which the staff designed and decorated themselves and were on hand to carry out make overs for everyone!
The Chief Executive of the South Eastern Trust, Roisin Coulter, was delighted to cut the ribbon and declare the garden officially open.
She said: “This is an absolute transformation from what it was before.
“Our service users and their families couldn’t really come out and use the outdoor space, but now we have a purpose-built, ground level garden and we’ve got plants, colours, seats and a shaded area.
“It is just lovely to see everyone enjoying it today.
“It absolutely makes my job worthwhile. Coming to something like this today puts a little bit of heart back into why we do the jobs we do. It is to make a contribution and to do what we can for a very, very special group of people.”
The Head of Projects in the South Eastern Trust Jonathan Bradshaw said, “The team has done an amazing job. Everyone worked really closely with the service users to create the right environment.
“It was fantastic to see the sensory garden evolve and see how everyone is enjoying it today. Wonderful !”
