On the Path to Success, One Fylde's Gardeners Help to Create New Sensory Experience in Village Park

The team of gardeners supported the Friends’ sub-group, called the Sensory Garden Working Group, who are developing a garden, and other green areas of the park.

Their latest project is titled ‘A Walk on the Wild side’, a winding nature walk through a wooded area. It aims to encourage exploration and use of these areas by creating a stimulating trail from the Sensory Garden to a new pond, including exciting and surprising features along the way, as well as erecting nature signs and installing wildlife sculptures. A One Fylde garden maintenance team, including One Fylde staff member David, along with gardeners Luke, Tommy, Brendan, Barry, Paul and Millie, worked hard clearing some of the overgrown areas then stacking the offcuts to clear the path.

“What a delightful group of people! Their sunny smiles, especially when we brought out the biscuits, warmed an otherwise very cold day,” said Janette, who, along with Bev, Gaynor and Julie, make up the Sensory Garden Working Group.  “We wanted to say a massive thank you,” she added.

“Together we’ve made a great start on our project, but we’ve plenty still to do. We hope that One Fylde will be able to help us out again in the future.”

Tracey Bush, CEO of One Fylde, said:

”We’re delighted to see the team recognised in this way. They’ve played an invaluable part in helping to get the new trail started. “This illustrates the important role that people with learning disabilities and autism can play in society, for example, by helping the Sensory Garden Working Group to get started with what I’m sure will be a fantastic and well-used resource.  Well done to everyone involved, we’re looking forward to supporting the Friends again in the future.”

One Fylde is a 350-strong organisation, providing person-centred support, accommodation and exciting enterprises for adults with learning disabilities and autism across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. The charity supports more than 230 individuals and its purpose is “to contribute to the wellbeing of everyone who is part of One Fylde, and to ensure that they are treated with respect and enabled to live the best life possible”. Recently, it was awarded a £500 donation from Lytham Round Table in recognition of its excellent work and to help support its future growth.

The donation is being used to purchase a high-quality printer for its new digital arts group, which supports people to learn new skills in creating items through a variety of art-based programmes. The group will, for instance, create and produce celebration cards, invitations, funny quotes and more, while developing and promoting their technical knowledge and enhancing skills, such as concentration and adeptness.

These are both part of a wide range of activities offered by the charity, which includes employment-based opportunities through One Fylde’s enterprises, such as garden maintenance and regular cardboard, paper, soft plastics and textile collections, which enable supported individuals to make meaningful contributions and gain life experiences. Further opportunities include volunteering at other local charities, such as Lytham Hall, or presenting on One Fylde’s very own internet radio station.

“These activities and opportunities demonstrate and champion the valuable role that people with learning disabilities and autism can play in everyday life, providing a sense of self-esteem, wellbeing and purpose for the people we support,” said David Stanhope, Chair of One Fylde.

If you would like to make a donation to support One Fylde, please go to www.onefylde.org/donate/

If you would like your garden maintained, please ring the Gardening team on 07532 136507. 

Or, if you are a business and would like your cardboard, paper or soft plastics collected, please ring Recycling on 07532 148908.