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On May 28^th, a team of volunteers from Devon County Council spent the day away from their offices to construct a sensory garden for Wynstream Primary School, in Exeter.

The eleven-strong team of volunteers, made up of young men and women from the authority’s current Apprenticeship Programme, chose the project from a list of team challenges provided by ‘Exeter Cares’, a campaign of Business in the Community. The ‘Cares’ campaign aims to get businesses involved in their local community through volunteer work.

Katie Edmondson, Partnership Broker at Business in the Community said “This was a fantastic project completed by volunteers from Devon County Council, they should be really proud and I know the school really appreciate their hard work. Cares volunteering is a great way to work alongside your colleagues out of the office environment, whilst giving something back to the community at the same time!”

The apprentices were responsible for organising the entire project, which included designing and sourcing materials for the garden, though they were quick to thank the contributions made by their sponsors.

“We are immensely grateful to Homebase Exeter, who donated over £100 worth of plants to us,” said Russell Hilton, apprentice and team leader for the project. “Without their support, our garden would lack much of its character, but as it is, I think we have incorporated much of what a sensory garden is about. We were also very fortunate that we received such a positive response from our colleagues, across many departments, who kindly donated plants, money and other materials to the cause.”

The purpose of the garden is to engage the children’s interest by appealing to the five senses. The Wynstream School garden has plants of differing sizes, colours, scents and textures, as well as an area for growing herbs and small vegetables.

Other features include a seating area and a tunnel of bamboo arches, complete with climbing plants.

"The children were delighted to see and explore their new garden,” said Associate Headteacher, Sarah Bennett. “It has already been put to good use within the children’s learning environment. We would all like to thank the team very much for all their hard work and great ideas."