Telford forest school gets £1,000 boost for new sensory garden

A Telford forest school has received £1,000 from a local housebuilder to help create a new sensory garden for young people.

Wrekin Forest School, near Barratt Homes' Scarlet View development, will use the funding to develop the new area, which is designed to encourage exploration, hands-on learning and connection with nature.

The forest school focuses on child-led exploration and learning, with the new sensory garden providing a calm outdoor environment where children can engage their senses.

Judie Udale, director at Wrekin Forest School, said the idea had grown from years of experience working with children.

She said: "It is increasingly evident that children benefit greatly from regular opportunities to slow down and engage their senses, helping them to develop a connection with the natural world.

"We originally had a small sensory space, but as our Forest School expanded and more children began visiting, we realised the need for a larger, more developed area."

The new garden is intended to help children develop communication and language skills, physical abilities, confidence and teamwork, while supporting their overall wellbeing.

Ms Udale added: "Thanks to the donation from Barratt Homes, we have been able to design the sensory garden with the intention of ensuring children have a space to connect deeply with the natural world."

The project will also provide opportunities for outdoor learning and is intended to become a lasting resource for visitors of all ages.

Adrian Evans, managing director at Barratt Homes, said: "We are very proud to support local community organisations like the Wrekin Forest School.

"We hope that the new sensory garden area can help enrich the lives of local young people and help them connect to the natural world around them."

He added that Barratt Homes had committed to working with forest schools around the country to provide opportunities for children to learn about the environment and how to protect it.