School Garden

Fountaindale is a school for children and young people who are 3 to 18 years old who have profound and multiple learning needs, complex physical and medical needs and sensory needs. The school applied to the community change fund to create an accessible growing area within the school for the 14 young wheelchair users in their student body.

The school had a polytunnel which was used for growing and gardening, but this was inaccessible to wheelchair users. The new gardening area would instead consist of raised beds and potting tables, raised water butts and other equipment suitable for the pupils and school. The school hoped from this to introduce a Gardening Club, encouraging pupils to develop a love of growing their own foods and give them the skills for independent living.

The school felt their project had been really successful. With many schools facing budget pressures, the funding allowed them to create the garden they had planned. They also made the project part for their Eco-Schools Green Flag application, which they were awarded with Merit!

“It ensures that wheelchair users are able to access equipment and resources in order for them to be part of their community”