Posties rally round to finish therapy garden

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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A TEAM of Royal Mail staff have helped put the finishing touches to a new sensory garden for disabled young people in Headington.

Twelve postal workers from Berkshire and Chesterfield travelled to Oxford and pitched in to help out at the new garden at the Viking House centre, in Saxon Way.

The centre, which is run by children’s charity Barnardo’s, provides short breaks for children aged between five and 18 with a variety of physical and learning difficulties.

The ‘therapy’ garden includes a variety of sensory features, such as brightly coloured and highly scented flowers, and textured walls and flooring.

The team of Royal Mail team were drafted in to help finish the project ahead of its official opening on June 27 by BBC Blue Peter gardener Chris Collins. Award-winning garden designer Paul Titcombe designed the space.

He said because the different features appealed to each of the five senses every child would be able to enjoy and relax in the garden.

He added: “We have included things like lavender which is highly scented and have put the flowers in raised beds so the children can touch them.

“There are also things like a water feature , which will create nice noises for the children, and a pergola.”

Carolyn Farmer, one of the staff at Viking House, said: “The design is fantastic with textured walls and flooring, colourful features and lots of nice smells which means that children can enjoy it regardless of their disability.”

Viking House therapeutic garden has taken two years to plan and create.

Barnardo’s is now looking for volunteers to help maintain the garden.

For more information or to volunteer to work in the garden call Kate Payne on 01865 762506.

[stokes11eg]

Well done.