The Sensory Garden is a joint project that brings together three very close-knit mutual organisations: The Next Step Trust, The Mayfield Trust, and Ravenscliffe High School. Converting unused land adjacent to our neighbours The Mayfield Trust, has created a wonderful environment for all involved to share and enjoy all year round.

All areas of the garden are accessible by wheelchair, and the many varieties of flower and vegetable beds are either at a raised or lowered level allowing easy access for everyone. There are areas of seating, a large swing, a pagoda, and a pergola. There is a beautiful water feature, a barbecue area, and a large-scale chessboard. We have a garden shed, greenhouse and compost area all surrounding a spacious lawn enabling a wide variety of activities to take place. The garden provides a place for members of all three charities to relax and enjoy as well as a place for them to practice and gain horticultural skills.

The development of the garden has been managed by Dave Blackburn, an experienced and qualified Horticulturalist from Ravenscliffe High School. Dave dedicates one day each week to the Sensory Garden with students from school. Over time the garden has enabled the users to produce items to be sold - vegetables, bedding plants, decorative bowls of bulbs, herbs and spices etc, and the funds raised have all been ploughed back (if you'll pardon the pun) into the garden.

The project was made possible by all costs being shared between the three organisations. Grants have been obtained from 'Awards 4 All', 'O2 Your Community', 'The Bearder Charity', and 'Vcashpoint'. HBOS/Lloyds provided much volunteer labour to initially clear the land and to erect fencing and the shed, and they continue to offer their support.

And what a transformation! What was unused land is now a beautiful garden, totally safe, quiet and secluded with lots of wildlife to complement the more formal aspects of the garden.