The Parent Hub at Ashton Park School in Bristol has been hard at work developing an unused and overgrown part of the school grounds into a Wellbeing Garden.
The project is the idea of the school’s mental health lead, Sam Vann, who thought it would be a great idea to develop the space into an area that would support the wellbeing of pupils and staff.
“After some initial fundraising and garnering the support of staff, I reached out to the Parent Hub and formed a small management team with myself and three wonderful parents, Jen Orme, Tom Clarke and Jon Attwood, who have been integral to the success of this project – I simply couldn’t do it without them.
“Thanks to parent Tom Clarke who ran the Bath Half, we were able to pay for the crucial tree surgery works back in the Autumn, which meant that the school pond saw the light for the first time in many years. Then in November, March and July, The Parent Hub gathered volunteers (more always welcome!) and worked hard clearing, digging, planting and starting to create a pathway through the wooded area where we are aiming to build a Sensory Wellbeing Walk.”
Sam added that alongside the school’s science faculty taking classes on pond dipping expeditios, the space has been used for 1:1 support and various wellbeing groups, including an art project taking inspiration from British artist Andy Goldsworthy.
“Some of our Y10 Prince’s Trust students have worked incredibly hard since March, preparing, then planting a wildflower meadow in the area adjacent to the garden,” added Sam. “This is a long-term project led by Nature Connection with funding from the West of England Combined Authority.
“Thanks to all of these efforts, the newts have now multiplied, the lily pads are growing, ducks are regular visitors and, new to the garden, dragonflies have been spotted among the moths and butterflies.”