Parent and carer group needs donations for new sensory garden and play area
A parent and carer group covering Walsall and Wolverhampton is hoping to bloom this year – but needs help after securing a long term lease on an allotment that will be transformed into a safe, sensory garden and play area for children and adults with special needs.
The Parent and Carer Support Group, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Surrounding Areas was founded by Alison Fisher and is a voluntary organisation that provides support to about 200 families as far away as Tamworth, Cannock and South Staffordshire who care for children and adults with additional needs.
Mother-of-two Alison, aged 38, said: "We have managed to get a long term lease on what was derelict land for the past 20 years and hope to create a sensory garden for members and wider families with children with special needs.
"We want to create the sensory garden, play area and an education centre where we can host a range of activities.
"We are also looking to work with schools and other organisations that support families and individuals with special needs.
"But we need help to achieve this and are appealing for organisations and business to lend their time and materials.
"BSJ Construction have already cleared the land with the help of 20 volunteers.
"But we need organisations to come forward who can provide slabs and materials such as fences and we have secured a grant from the Screwfix Foundation of £5,000 towards renovation of the area which measures 80 feet by 40 feet.
"It is a large area and we need to level the entrance to ensure their is wheelchair access.
"As a group we have raised £2,000 and hope people will come forward to donate towards the creation of the sensory garden as there is nothing like it in the area.
"As a group during lockdown money was spent to reduce isolation for parents.
"This will enable families to have a designated safe space and be a space where all the family can access support and well-being and meet up with other families in a Covid-secure environment.
"It will also provide a place where they can develop social, well-being and life-skills."
Anyone who can donate items to help in the creation of the garden is asked to contact the Walsallwtonparentgroup@gmail.com email address or provide support via a justgiving page or PayPal.
