Promoting the abilities within disability on a world stage…
We were back to show another garden at The Chelsea Flower Show in 2023 and this time, were awarded a SILVER medal! This extraordinary feat was achieved by the children and staff of the schools of The Blue Tangerine Federation and supported again by the fantastic local companies and the charity to make this possible.
Building on the achievement of last year and the experiences gained, this year we explored the impact of horticulture on children and particularly, our senses. Many of our pupils have deficits or hyper awareness in our senses, stimulated by the world around us. The children created four quadrants in the garden, each designed to support one of the five senses, with ‘sight’ covering the overarching design.
We access our world around us through our senses and when these are unbalanced, it can be difficult to sustain balance and harmony. The garden sought to create a calm and welcoming space that enabled exploration and engagement. Planting and gardens in our schools are also designed to reflect these needs and welcome our children into the outdoors. Horticultural therapy and animal assisted therapies are an integral part of our curriculum and have fantastic benefits to supporting our young people to develop a lasting and positive engagement with nature.