£20k cash boost
Money will be used for a sensory garden
A bid to build a sensory garden in Hamilton for people with disabilities has been given a £20,000 funding boost from the People’s Postcode Lottery.
Sense Scotland were given the money for their base in Hamilton, which was opened last year by The Princess Royal.
The cash will help the charity transform the currently unloved and unused space surrounding the Leys Park building into an accessible, green and nurtured habitat, giving disabled people the chance to engage with the natural environment, learn new skills, socialise, work together and encourage a healthy lifestyle.
Called Touchbase Lanarkshire, the centre boasts state-of-the-art facilities for people with communication support needs.
Andy Kerr, Sense Scotland’s chief executive officer, said “The sensory garden will be a wonderful addition to Touchbase Lanarkshire.
“We are immensely grateful to the players of People’s Postcode Lottery and Postcode Local Trust for their support of the sensory garden, and to garden designer Julie Spence of DWA Landscape Architects.”
Work to create the garden will begin this summer. It will be a sustainable space with wheelchair accessible paths, raised beds for growing herbs, fruits, vegetables and flowers, an area for sociable activities as well as a quiet area for relaxation and reflection.
There will be scented planting, wind chimes and a pebbled water feature to provide a range of sensory experiences. Julie Spence of Hamilton-based DWA Landscape Architects donated her time and expertise to design the garden free of charge.
This is the second time Touchbase Lanarkshire have benefited from support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, which last year made an award of £16,299 to equip the new art and music rooms.
Included in the centre, which has doubled in size after an £850,000 refurbishment, is a sensory room with the latest technology, a fully-equipped music room and a dedicated art room incorporating spin art facilities.
A new extension built onto the centre provides ample space for physio and physical activity sessions and includes a sunken trampoline which is used for rebound therapy.
The centre is fully equipped with highquality personal care suites with ceiling mounted tracking hoists in all key areas of the building.
A second building provides a large events space which can be used for drama performances and storytelling sessions.
It is hoped that the events space is also a popular location for seminars, meetings and workshops.
The second building is also home to a bespoke accessible kitchen which will offer people supported by Sense Scotland the opportunity to develop their cooking skills and gain qualifications through Sense Scotland’s ASDAN programme.
The Princess Royal, who is Sense Scotland’s Patron, spent some time at the Hamilton centre last October, talking to families before unveiling a plaque and declaring the newly refurbished facility open.
It was originally the Aveyron Centre, which was built by families in the town 20 years ago.