A new sensory garden has opened in Warrington town centre thanks to partnership working.
Sweet smelling plants and a mixture of brightly coloured flowers will transform an unloved space into a beautiful sensory garden thanks to partnership working across Warrington Town Centre, led by Warrington BID and other Groundwork CLM project teams.
Warrington’s Prince’s Trust secured £5K worth of funding from discount retailer, Wilko, to sponsor its ‘Get Started in Urban Spaces’ programme. Groundwork designed and managed the initiative, on behalf of the Prince’s Trust, who provided volunteers aged between 16-30 years old. The week-long project provided training for the young volunteers, allowing them to develop new skills while creating an appealing new space for the local community.
The Warrington BID and Warrington Borough Council identified the space on Buttermarket Street as being in need of improvement during a green-space audit last year. This project is part of the BID’s commitment to improving green spaces in the town centre over the next four years.
The new sensory garden includes an appealing mix of flowers, shrubs and herbs, and has been designed with the purpose of stimulating the senses, by using plants and materials that engage sight, smell, touch, taste, and sound. The garden also incorporates a seating area and it is hoped that it will increase mental wellbeing as well as dwell time in the town centre.
Jane Hough, Business Improvement District Programme Manager from Groundwork, said: “Groundwork has been working in the town centre for the last four years, originally with The Prince’s Trust, and more recently in delivering the ‘Yes!’ Vote and establishing a Business Improvement District for the town. The sensory garden project has been a great way for the different Groundwork teams to come together. Thanks to the funding from Wilko, not only will the sensory garden make a real difference to the look of the place, but it has also provided employability and skills training opportunities for local people.”
Council leader, Cllr Russ Bowden, said: “This is a fantastic example of how we are working together through the BID to improve the town centre environment and create a vibrant, welcoming place for everyone to enjoy. We know the huge benefits high quality green spaces can have on people’s wellbeing and the sensory garden will provide people with a peaceful and tranquil area to relax. It will be a great addition to our town centre.”
