Whizz Kidz Community Change Fund Supports Fountaindale School’s Accessible Gardening Project

With the support of the Whizz Kidz, the UK’s leading charity for young wheelchair users Community Change Fund, Fountaindale School in Mansfield, Nottingham, has successfully created an accessible gardening space for its students, ensuring that all young wheelchair users can actively participate in growing and gardening activities. The initiative, aimed at promoting inclusion and independence, has had a transformative impact on students with complex physical, medical, and sensory needs.

Fountaindale School, which caters to children and young people aged 3 to 18 with profound and multiple learning disabilities, applied to the Community Change Fund to create a fully accessible growing area. The school previously had a polytunnel used for gardening, but it was not suitable for wheelchair users. Thanks to the funding, the school has now developed a dedicated gardening area featuring raised beds, potting tables, elevated water butts, and other adapted equipment, ensuring all students can engage with and enjoy the space.

The new gardening space has enabled the school to launch a Gardening Club, allowing students to cultivate their own plants and vegetables. This initiative not only encourages a love for nature but also equips pupils with essential skills for independent living. Furthermore, the project formed a key part of the school’s Eco-Schools Green Flag application, which was awarded with Merit—a testament to the school’s commitment to sustainability and inclusion.

“The funding has allowed us to create the garden we envisioned, despite the financial pressures schools are currently facing,”said a spokesperson from Fountaindale School. “It ensures that wheelchair users are able to access equipment and resources in order for them to be part of their community.”

The project was met with overwhelmingly positive feedback. Fountaindale School rated their experience with the Community Change Fund as highly successful, highlighting the importance of securing quality, accessible gardening resources within budget constraints. The school encourages other young wheelchair users and community groups to apply for the fund, emphasising how it enables accessibility and community involvement.

With the support of the Kentown Wizard Foundation, Whizz Kidz, is proud to continue its Community Change Fund, which provides grants of up to £1,000 to projects designed and delivered by young wheelchair users. These projects allow young people to work with their local communities, acquire valuable skills like project and budget management, and experience the joy of creating meaningful change. The initiative encourages collaboration with community groups such as schools, sports clubs, Guides, Scouts, or youth clubs, promoting mobility, inclusion, and empowerment for young wheelchair users.

Sarah Pugh, Chief Executive of Whizz Kidz, commented:

“At Whizz Kidz, we believe in empowering young wheelchair users to create meaningful change in their communities. The Fountaindale School gardening project is a wonderful example of how inclusive initiatives can enhance both skills and confidence while fostering a sense of belonging. We are proud to support projects like this through our Community Change Fund.”

The Whizz Kidz Community Change Fund continues to provide grants for projects designed to support young wheelchair users in making a real impact in their local communities. To learn more about how to apply, visit Whizz Kidz’s website

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact:
Senior Media & PR Manager, Andie Hill at a.hill@whizz-kidz.org.uk or 07776956062

For more information, visit www.whizz-kidz.org.uk

Follow @WhizzKidz on Facebook // @whizzkidzuk on Instagram // Whizz-Kidz on LinkedIn

About Whizz Kidz

As the UK’s leading charity for young wheelchair users, Whizz Kidz empowers young people by providing the wheelchairs, equipment, support, and confidence-building experiences they need, while campaigning for a more inclusive society. Our vision is a world where every young wheelchair user is mobile, enabled, and included.

About young wheelchair users in the UK

• An estimated 75,000 young people in the UK need a wheelchair to be mobile.
• Many young people do not receive a wheelchair that fully meets their needs through local services.
• Without the right wheelchair, young people may experience dependence on others, social isolation, poor mental health, pain, and injury.
• Independence is crucial for young wheelchair users to engage socially and participate fully in their communities.